The public consultation about whether Gatwick or Heathrow airports should be expanded has now closed.
The Airports Commission will make a recommendation to the Government based on a shortlist of three options – a third runway at Heathrow, lengthening an existing runway at Heathrow or building a second runway at Gatwick.
It is expected to make its final recommendations in the summer.
As the consultation came to a close, various industry bodies made their final attempts to influence the commission’s decision.
– The Board of Airline Representatives in the UK (BAR UK), which represents over 70 airlines, told the commission that expansion at Heathrow was the right solution
– UKinbound urged it to recommend the development of additional runways at both Gatwick and Heathrow
– The GTMC said a survey of 1,000 corporate travellers showed 61% back Heathrow expansion
– KPMG didn’t disclose which particular option it was supporting but called for ‘political commitment’ to ‘get shovels in the ground’
– Unite believes expansion at Heathrow is the only option to connect the UK globally.
