Airports Commission launches consultation into three options

The Airports Commission has started a consultation process into three shortlisted options for airport capacity growth in the South East of England.

The three shortlisted cases put forward include a second runway at Gatwick Airport, an extension of Heathrow airport’s northern runway or a new Heathrow runway to the north west.

Public comment will now be accepted along with research and analysis into various areas including cost and environmental impact.

“Since our Interim report last year we have undertaken a huge amount of work. We have carried out a thorough assessment, across a comprehensive range of subjects, looking at the benefits and impacts of each proposal. We have not yet taken a view on which proposal strikes the most effective balance between the assessment criteria. It is important first that we provide an opportunity for this evidence to be examined, challenged and improved. This consultation gives everyone with an interest in the issue of airport expansion that opportunity,” said Sir Howard Davies, who is leading the commission. “Responses to this consultation will be a valuable addition to our evidence base and will directly inform our recommendation to the government when we publish our final report in the summer of 2015.”

The consultation will close on 3 February with a final report to be issued in summer 2015.

“Must be cost effective”

BATA’s chief executive Nathan Stower urged the commission to consider the cost impact.

“The Airports Commission’s final recommendation must be cost effective, offer value for money, and not rely on today’s passengers paying for infrastructure that won’t be ready until at least the mid-2020s. UK airlines will study the appraisal of each option in detail to judge whether the plan is supported by a robust business case with realistic forecasts and a credible funding mechanism,” he said. “I hope our politicians will wait for the results of this consultation and the Commission’s final report so that political decisions can be taken with the fullest evidence.”

BAR UK’s chief executive Dale Keller echoed the thoughts, saying: “It is reassuring that the cost of the short listed proposals has now undergone such comprehensive analysis and scrutiny by the Airports Commission. Since airlines and ultimately the travelling public fund the vast majority of the UK’s airport infrastructure, unlike road and rail, airlines will be closely examining the Commission’s findings on the business case and cost model for each of the Gatwick and Heathrow options. Airlines insist that no advance financing is inflicted on the travelling public and that new infrastructure is paid by those who will benefit, not today’s passengers.”