Mark Tanzer, ABTA’s Chief Executive said:

“ABTA welcomes the Government’s announcement of the Airports National Policy Statement and urges MPs to support expansion when they vote in Parliament in the coming weeks. While ABTA recognises that expansion must be delivered in a sustainable manner, constraints on airport capacity in the South East, in particular Heathrow, severely inhibit the UK’s ability to grow. In 2017, 78 million passengers passed through Heathrow, 67% on leisure trips and the rest on business. It is currently operating at almost 100% capacity.  

“Airport expansion will boost the wider UK economy, creating thousands of jobs and delivering the increased connectivity the UK needs, especially in a post Brexit world. However, it is also important that consumers aren’t burdened with the costs of expansion and that additional capacity is delivered in a cost-effective manner.”

For further information, contact:

020 3117 0596 or press@abta.co.uk

Sean Tipton, Media Relations Manager, 020 3117 0513