Political concerns are on the rise between the government and the opposition on building a 3rd runway for Heathrow. Housing and planning minister Grant Shapps has publically voiced support in the interests of International Consolidated Airlines Group SA, as well as Virgin Atlantic’s founder Sir Richard Branson, citing that UK’s economic base for international trade may gain retarded growth due to the congestion in capacity of Heathrow having 2 runways.
The international Consolidated Airlines Group SA has Heathrow as headquarters for its British Airways (IAG) division. U.K’s current prime minister had taken a firm stance on siding along with the Conservatives’ opposition on the prospect, saying that the economic case for the 3rd runway was ‘flawed’ besides the environmental concerns. He made his perspective clear during a green speech he delivered back in June 2008.
Heathrow, being the world’s busiest airport receives increasing competition from regional airports across Europe as well as worldwide. Business leaders have already communicated to the government to get started with the development. The airport has reached its operational capacity while aviation expansion in Middle East and China has led to ample advantage in new venues; Asian airlines have established new major routes without involving London.
Heathrow has considerably lower number of flights to half of the world’s emerging markets, with no direct flights to countries like Columbia, Peru, Indonesia, Venezuela, Philippines and Chile. Sources have quoted that Transport Secretary Justine Greening would need to be removed from her current post this September for the runway construction plan to get going. Ms. Greening is reputed with opposing the expansion of Heathrow airport.
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