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The Airports Commission has published future UK airport
expansion options, including the addition of new runways at London
Heathrow and Gatwick.
Some 50 proposals were sent the commission's way and, from these, it has singled out three. These are a new 3,000+ metre Gatwick Airport runway, a new 3,500 metre Heathrow Airport runway and an extension of Heathrow's existing westerly runway, taking it to a minimum of 6,000 metres in length.
Also still in the consideration frame - although much less so at this stage than Heathrow and Gatwick's futures - are a brand new airport in the Thames Estuary area and projected Birmingham and/or Stansted airport expansions, with the Airports Commission's final report due out in mid-2015.
London's Mayor, Boris Johnson, has previously championed the Thames Estuary airport proposal, labeling the Heathrow third runway plan catastrophic. Seemingly, the Airports Commission's UK expansion findings have not swayed his opinion. "A new airport in the inner estuary is the only credible hub option left", he stated in comments quoted by The BBC. "By keeping it on the table, Davies is saying you have a choice - between a damaging U-turn or a radical new vision for expansion."
Heathrow growth advocates, meantime, highlight the speed and cost benefits, suggesting that, within barely 15 years, the UK's flagship airport could be handling 260,000 additional take offs and landings.
An earlier report, produced by the Department of Transport, forecast that UK airport passenger traffic - which totalled 219 million passengers in 2011 - could reach 315 million by 2030 and 445 million by 2050.
He added: "The commission will now focus on the challenge of appraising the three options, further assessing the case for a new airport in the Thames estuary, and delivering a robust final recommendation to government in summer 2015."
Some 50 proposals were sent the commission's way and, from these, it has singled out three. These are a new 3,000+ metre Gatwick Airport runway, a new 3,500 metre Heathrow Airport runway and an extension of Heathrow's existing westerly runway, taking it to a minimum of 6,000 metres in length.
Also still in the consideration frame - although much less so at this stage than Heathrow and Gatwick's futures - are a brand new airport in the Thames Estuary area and projected Birmingham and/or Stansted airport expansions, with the Airports Commission's final report due out in mid-2015.
UK Airport Infrastructure
It was last year that the Airports Commission's chair, Sir Howard Davies, was tasked with investigating means through which UK airport infrastructure could grow.London's Mayor, Boris Johnson, has previously championed the Thames Estuary airport proposal, labeling the Heathrow third runway plan catastrophic. Seemingly, the Airports Commission's UK expansion findings have not swayed his opinion. "A new airport in the inner estuary is the only credible hub option left", he stated in comments quoted by The BBC. "By keeping it on the table, Davies is saying you have a choice - between a damaging U-turn or a radical new vision for expansion."
Heathrow growth advocates, meantime, highlight the speed and cost benefits, suggesting that, within barely 15 years, the UK's flagship airport could be handling 260,000 additional take offs and landings.
An earlier report, produced by the Department of Transport, forecast that UK airport passenger traffic - which totalled 219 million passengers in 2011 - could reach 315 million by 2030 and 445 million by 2050.
UK Airport Expansion
"Decisions on airport capacity are important national strategic choices and must be based upon the best evidence available", said Sir Howard. "The commission has undertaken a fresh, comprehensive and transparent study of the issues. This report is the product of extensive consultation, independent analysis and careful consideration by the commissioners.He added: "The commission will now focus on the challenge of appraising the three options, further assessing the case for a new airport in the Thames estuary, and delivering a robust final recommendation to government in summer 2015."
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