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Airport rivals are spoiling for a flight

— Both report record passengers last year — Now they clash over plans for new runways

BRITAIN’S two major airports were on a collision course yesterday — as they
fought for the right to expand.

GATWICK and HEATHROW both reported record passenger numbers for
last year – and used the figures to push their case for more room.

Last year 73.4million folks passed through Heathrow, while 38million used
Gatwick.

With the Airport Commission poised to rule later this year on which airport
should be selected for expansion, these are tense times for the terminals.

The watchdog says there are three options to boost the UK’s plane sector: a
third runway at Heathrow; lengthening an existing runway at Heathrow or
putting in a second runway at Gatwick.

Heathrow insists Britain needs one major “hub” airport that international
airlines can focus on.

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But Gatwick argues it is the natural home of the new low cost air industry,
painting Heathrow as a dinosaur.

Gatwick CEO Stewart Wingate said: “Only a new runway at Gatwick can deliver
more choice and lower fares that all passengers will benefit from.” But the
airport faced a blow when carrier VIETNAM AIRLINES said it was moving
from Gatwick to Heathrow.

John Holland-Kaye, chief executive of Heathrow, said: “Only by expanding
Heathrow can we add direct flights to the world’s growing cities, increase
our exports and connect all of the UK to global growth.”

Gatwick’s traffic last year saw a surge in Latin American destinations — up by
6.3 per cent. East Asia was up 5.2 per cent and the Middle East and Central
Asia rose by 3.5. Both airports reported a strong festive period compared to
last December — with passengers up 2.4 per cent at Heathrow and 8 per cent
at Gatwick.

CITY COMMENT: WE need at least one far larger airport. Heathrow has
been trying to expand for decades, but noise worries persist. Gatwick seems
like the easier, better solution. It is time to give it the nod.


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