Heathrow's full capacity is affecting UK in emerging markets, CBI says
The Airports Commission should opt for a single hub airport with spare capacity to add new routes, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said on Monday.
CBI raised the issue that Heathrow is already at its fully capacity, which is making the UK "fall behind on direct flights to emerging markets", it argued.
CBI deputy director-general Katja Hall said: "It is essential that the Airports Commission delivers a solution that addresses the ticking time bomb of our lack of spare hub capacity."
The report urged politicians to draw a clear schedule that delivers spades in the ground by 2020 and a timetable for further capacity considerations beyond 2030 to prevent "another capacity crunch" in the future.
With the decision of whether the Thames Estuary would be a suitable location for an airport imminent, Heathrow's chief executive urged London Mayor Boris Johnson to support him.
"If your own proposal for a new Thames Estuary airport is not shortlisted by the Airports Commission then Heathrow will be the only hub option left in the race. It will be the only option capable of providing frequent direct long-haul flights to fast-growing countries like China, India and Brazil," he said.
JF