With the global economic problems steadily receding, London is now attracting international investors and firms looking to gain a stable foothold in Europe.
As a result, it has become apparent that London’s airport capacity is lacking when compared to cities such as Amsterdam and Paris. Research released last week by the mayor’s office has revealed that a four-runway airport is now needed in order to cater for rising levels of business and tourist demand – however, Boris Johnson has resoundingly rejected calls for Heathrow to become the UK’s only hub airport.
According to the report, which was researched by advisors at York Aviation, Heathrow lacks the expansion capacity and its proximity to residential areas will not be popular with the local electorate. Furthermore, suggestions of expansion at other airports including Gatwick and Stansted would not solve the issue, as the city urgently needs four runways operating in the same location “rather than spread haphazardly across the south east.”
Boris Johnson is now pushing for a “super airport” to be constructed in an area which will not negatively impact local residents or limit future expansion as demand further increases. This airport, he believes, would allow for greater numbers of flights to emerging economies in Latin America and Asia which is vital in maintaining the UK’s position as an international player in trading.
One city which was particularly earmarked in the report was Xi’an in China. With a population of over seven million people and a fast-growing influence in industries such as software engineering and aerospace, forging strong travel connections as quickly as possible could reap huge benefits for the UK.
Aviation adviser to the mayor, Daniel Moylan, believes that creating a hub airport which offers flexibility for the future is essential in ensuring Britain’s ongoing financial security.
He says; “The need for a single, large hub airport is undeniable – without the transfer passengers it collects, it is not viable to lay on many of the direct routes to destinations that are so beneficial to our residents and businesses here in the UK.
“This new data further illuminates the need for that airport to have at least four runways and room to grow, because it is spare airport capacity that allows airlines to innovate and experiment with new routes to emerging markets.
“This is a description of a national asset that Heathrow, with its severe size constraints and dire noise impacts, can never become.”
The report will now be examined by the government’s Airports Commission, which is in the process of analysing all information received before making a decision regarding Britain’s aviation future.
While many suggestions are in the mix at present, one thing is certain – London must adapt to the increasingly travel-oriented business platform or risk losing ground as the Eurozone enters recovery.
Do you think a new London airport is the solution to this problem, or should the Airports Commission also be considering other areas of the country in which to base the UK’s hub airport?
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