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TMCs call for urgent expansion at Heathrow or Gatwick, or both
The GTMC is urging the UK Government to make a quick decision on airport expansion in the south east, whether that means at Heathrow or Gatwick, or both.
As public consultation on the third runway for Heathrow airport reopens, it says whichever way the decision goes, it needs to be acted upon quickly.
Chief executive Adrian Parkes said: "As the voice of the business traveller, the GTMC has been calling for airport expansion in the South East as vital for the UK’s continued economic growth for some time.
"The latest statistics support expansion at Gatwick, showing that a second runway option at Gatwick offers substantial financial benefits.
"We urge that decisions are made and quickly so the best developments for the UK economy are made as soon as possible.
"Our research alongside Oxford Economics demonstrates that just a one per cent increase in international air business travel – which can only be achieved by airport expansion at Heathrow or Gatwick, preferably both – will deliver £400m in knock on economic benefits.
He said any further delay is frustrating and curtailing the growth potential of UK businesses.
"New analytics demonstrate that the vital financial reward to the UK economy from the expansion is greater than originally thought, and this requires serious consideration. We urge the UK Government to commit to airport expansion for the long term in the South East without any further delay."
The GTMC’s membership accounts for over 80% of UK expenditure on managed business travel.
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Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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