BAA calls for new runways
BAA, the UK’s largest airport operator, has called for up to three new runways in the South East to be placed at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted.
The call has come as a part of the company’s response to the Government’s consultation paper on the future of the aviation industry. The Government is concerned that passenger growth can not be met with existing spare capacity, though it is expected that any resulting plans will meet with opposition.
BAA presently operates the South East’s three main airports, and has suggested that a new runway be placed at each, or that Gatwick is left as it is while two are built at Stansted.
This option may suit the Government, who originally planned to abide by a previous moratorium on further development of Gatwick, but were forced to consider the airport in its plans after legal action.
Heathrow is already to undergo an expansion with the development of Terminal Five, and BAA has suggested that it needs a short haul runway to adapt to recent developments in the aviation industry.
Green campaigners are fighting plans for expansions, as are local resident groups that claim new airports would be a better option, though BAA claims that this might do greater environmental damage because they would require new transport infrastructure development.
Other options under consideration include a possible three new runways at Stansted or a new airport in Kent. But the South East will not be the only part of the country affected.
BAA has also suggested that development land be set aside around Glasgow and Edinburgh Airports to ensure the less acute capacity problems that Scotland may face can be resolved when appropriate.
