Heathrow expansion plans put on backburner
The Government has decided against approving a third runway at Heathrow Airport for the immediate future at least.
The Department of Transport said expansion of Heathrow may conflict with European pollution laws, set to be come into force by 2010.
In Heathrow’s absence, Stansted Airport is set to get the go ahead.
The decision is to be revealed next month by Transport Secretary Alistair Darling, when he publishes his 30-year strategy on UK aviation, according to The Financial Times.
British Airways said expansion at Stansted would be “disastrous” for the industry.
A letter sent to Tony Blair, signed by Rod Eddington, chief executive of BA, Sir Richard Branson, chairman of Virgin Atlantic and Sir Michael Bishop, chairman of bmi, said there was clear evidence that Heathrow would generate far greater benefits to the UK economy than Stansted.
The airline bosses argued that key environmental concerns at Heathrow could be addressed. “A detailed study of the air quality issue conducted by the industry demonstrates that an incentive based approach will be sufficient to ensure that new EU limits are met.”
