London - Develop or die: that was the message from the owners of Heathrow as they unveiled radical expansion plans that could see Europe's busiest airport increase capacity by 50 percent with a third, and potential fourth, runway.
Heathrow's “pick-and-mix” submission to the Davies Commission, which is evaluating solutions to the aviation capacity crunch, surprised industry observers. Three potential locations just outside the existing perimeter are offered for a third runway, with another trio of options providing for a fourth by 2040.
“After half a century of vigorous debate but little action, it is clear the UK desperately needs a single hub airport,” said Colin Matthews, Heathrow's chief executive. “Today we are showing how that vision can be achieved whilst keeping the impact on local residents to an absolute minimum.”
The bosses of Heathrow Airport Holdings (formerly BAA) chose the Tate Modern in London to reveal its works-in-progress. The quickest option is a short runway due north of the present site, which would cost around £14bn and be ready by 2025. A longer runway to the north-west could open in 2026 with a price tag of £17bn. The most expensive option, costing £18bn, is a new runway to the south-west, being built over a reservoir and the M25. It would not open until 2029.
Each option could be expanded to add a fourth runway, with the airport insisting fewer people than today would live within the noise footprint of Heathrow.
The plans were backed by the Board of Airline Representatives in the UK, which speaks for the airline community. Its chief executive, Dale Keller, said: “This debate is not a battle between Heathrow and the rest of the UK's airports, but a battle between Heathrow and the other international hubs.”
Nine out of 10 airlines in his organisation back expansion at Heathrow, and half of them say they do not regard an expanded Gatwick as a reasonable alternative. They claim they would move to another international hub or destination if they could not get slots at Heathrow.
But councillor Colin Ellar, deputy leader of Hounslow Council, said: “Our borough would be hit hard by the south-west runway proposal at Stanwell Moor. The north runway - the Sipson option - which unlike its predecessor is a full-length runway, would also have a profoundly negative impact.”
London leads the world in aviation, with many more passengers than any other city - an average of one planeload of 150 passengers every 30 seconds. Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Paris have more runways, but Heathrow handles far more traffic than its rivals.
The deadline for submissions to the Airports Commission is Friday. Sir Howard Davies and his colleagues will publish its recommendations in 2015. On Monday, London Mayor Boris Johnson came out in favour of a four-runway airport in the Thames Estuary or three added runways in Stansted.
Gatwick has hired the architect, Sir Terry Farrell, to spearhead its plans for a second runway at the Sussex airport.
- The Independent