The row over Heathrow’s transfer passengers rumbled on yesterday after capital business leaders’ group London First called for the airport to cut the number of flights it handles to decrease delays and reduce congestion.
The controversial statement comes hours after furious BA boss Willie Walsh lambasted Tory leader David Cameron for suggesting transfer passengers at the London hub did not benefit the UK economy.
Airline representative group BARUK yesterday also attacked Cameron for his comments, suggesting he did not understand how hubs worked, and have now attacked London First, calling its views “regressive†and likely to “push [the airport] down the table of leading airportsâ€.
A third of Heathrow’s passengers are transferring onto other flights, approximately 20 million, says BARUK.
Its chief executive Mike Carrick said: “It’s rather bizarre that an organization promoting the development of London proposes reducing the economic and transport activity that is so vital for the world’s leading city. This proposal is a big backward step.
“Certainly, service improvements are required, but they would only be tinkering at the edges of the core problem: the lack of runway capacity.â€
He added: “Subject to the required approval, we advocate the introduction of mixed mode runway operations until a third runway is built. This new runway is the key to resolving the capacity issues.
“It’s also difficult to rationalise the belief that 20+ million transfer passengers per year make little economic contribution. Such numbers provide a massive business in themselves, and are key drivers to the success of Heathrow.â€
By Dinah Hatch
