AIRPORT CAPACITY

The Department for Transport (DfT) Aviation White Paper was published in December 2003 setting out the Government’s plans for the future of aviation. The Government was generally in favour of capacity expansion across the UK and proposed new runways at Stansted, Birmingham and possibly Edinburgh. A third short runway was also supported at Heathrow provided environmental issues could be resolved. Failing this a second runway would be considered at Gatwick (but not before 2019). The second Stansted runway has been subject to legal challenge and planning permission has recently been rejected by the local council.

The DfT's consultation into adding capacity at Heathrow airport and making greater use of existing runways in the interim by moving to mixed mode, ended on 27 February 2008.

On 21 February 2008, National Air Traffic Services (NATS) launched a consultation on Air Space Development with proposals relating to the congested air space over large parts of southern and eastern England. The area includes four of the UK's major airports and affects flight paths into and out of these airports. 

ABTA’s Position

ABTA is part of the Flying Matters coalition and supports both the Heathrow First and Gatwick Forward lobbies. ABTA’s preference is for new runways at Heathrow and Gatwick where the demand lies and is concerned that an additional runway at Gatwick would only be required if the third runway at Heathrow did not get agreement. ABTA supports the safeguarding of land against building at Gatwick for a second runway and is opposed to any cross-subsidy by the BAA of the cost of building a new runway at Stansted by increased charges at Heathrow and Gatwick.

ABTA responded to the DfT supporting both a third runway and phased introduction of mixed mode.

Last updated: 17 April 2008