British Airways ‘to sue’ if Stansted gets new runway

British Airways is reportedly ready to undertake legal action if the Government decides to go ahead with plans to build a new runway at Stansted airport, rather than Heathrow. The Financial Times reports that Alistair Darling is ready to refuse permission for another runway at Heathrow – at least in the short term – and that British Airways is not happy about it. According to the newspaper, British Airways claims that expansion cannot go ahead at Stansted without being subsidised by landing charges at Heathrow – and therefore, its own fees (at Heathrow) are being used to subsidise work that would benefit its competitors. The FT states that BA “believes it has a clear legal case” to have such a “cross-subsidy” stopped. While the FT does not quote anyone in relation to the story, the Daily Express has a quote from Andrew Cahn, director of government and industry affairs at BA. He reprotedly said that such a proposal would represent danger to the carrier, adding: “Building at Stansted first would condemn British aviation to long-term decline.” British Airways also confirmed to News From Abroad that it is “seriously considering” a legal challenge if the proposal gets the green light. And for once, Virgin Atlantic appears to be singing from the same hymn sheet as BA; Sir Richard Branson reportedly said: “We do not want to see a white elephant built at Stansted. It would be sad if, after doing nothing for years, the Government rules out Heathrow.”