News: Cameron slams Heathrow expansion plans
Flights > News > # 1803 (18/06/2008)
David Cameron has voiced his opposition to a third runway at Heathrow airport.
The Tory leader accused the Government of “pig-headedly pursuing a third runway” to prove a political point, adding that the most important priority for Heathrow is making it better not bigger.
In a speech outlining Conservative environmental policy, Cameron questioned the economic case for expanding Heathrow - echoing recent remarks by former British Airways boss Robert Ayling.
Cameron said: “Gordon Brown says a third runway is vital for the future of our economy. But if you get behind the headlines, his argument falls apart. The case is based on Heathrow as an even bigger hub airport with a massive increase in the number of transfer passengers. The economic value of transfer passengers is hotly disputed.
“There are increasing grounds to believe the economic case for a third runway is flawed even without addressing the serious environmental concerns.”
The Government has already indicated its support for expanding Heathrow, both with a third runway and by allowing mixed use of the existing runways.
British Airways, Heathrow operator BAA and the Confederation of British Industry believe they have won the case for expansion with ministers, with the Department for Transport expected to give the go-ahead following publication of the results of a consultation later this year.
But plans for a third runway must now be in doubt, with the prospect of a Conservative government headed by Cameron taking over inside two years looking increasingly likely.
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