The World Travel & Tourism Council has added its weight to the "one hub or none" argument for London.
It said previous experience in the capital, and almost all international examples, demonstrate that operating twin airports hubs is a policy destined to fail.
The tourism body spoke out after a report from Heathrow was submitted to the government’s new Airports Commission claiming it is vital for the UK to have a single hub rather than a split hub, such as the proposed Heathrow-Gatwick operation, dubbed Heathwick.
The report, also welcomed by Virgin Atlantic, claims the UK needs to either expand Heathrow or replace Heathrow with a new hub airport to avoid losing up to £14bn worth of trade a year, and double by 2030.
WTTC President & CEO David Scowsill said: "The UK Government welcomes tourists with one hand while holding up a "keep out" sign with another.
"UK visa policies are overly bureaucratic and cumbersome; UK Air Passenger Duty is the highest of any country in the world; yet it is the incessant delay in providing new airport capacity which is by far the biggest problem facing Travel & Tourism in the UK.
"The Davies Commission will take too long to review the position. The private sector stakeholders of the Travel & Tourism Industry stand ready to be the earnest partner in delivering on solutions. The UK Government should grasp the nettle and make a decision that will bring jobs and economic growth at a crucial time for the UK economy."
by Bev Fearis
