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Gordon Brown urged to ban third runway at Heathrow after drop in flights
Nicholas Cecil, Chief Political Correspondent03.11.08
GORDON BROWN was today urged to reconsider plans for a third runway at Heathrow after new figures showed a fall in flights this winter.
The number of flights from the airport is due to dip by 1.9 per cent between October and March, compared with the same period last year, according to The Guardian.
The revelation of 25 fewer flights a day appears to undermine the Government's case that a bigger Heathrow is needed to ensure it remains a key international hub airport.
Labour MP Louise Ellman, head of the Commons transport select committee, said previous analyses had made the case for a third runway. "But before final decisions are taken, there does need to be an assessment of airline trends and travelling trends and keep these environmental conditions," she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme this morning.
However, she warned that it was important not to lose sight of the benefits to the economy of maintaining Heathrow as a hub airport.
A third runway would increase Heathrow's capacity from 480,000 flights a year to more than 700,000.
The Government's aviation White Paper made the case for expansion by citing figures showing that the number of passengers using UK airports would double to 460 million by 2030.
However, the latest figures from Airport Co-ordination, which oversees take-off and landing slots at Heathrow, showed a small decline this winter. "This is a reflection of fuel prices and weakening economy leading to airlines making tactical flight cancellations," said James Cole from the co-ordination firm.
But airport operator BAA, which has been working very closely with the Government on the plans for a third runway, insisted that long-term passenger numbers would rise.
"History very clearly demonstrates that aviation recovers well from short-term events such as this economic downturn," said a BAA spokesman.
John Stewart, chairman of anti-expansion group Hacan, argued that the changing economic climate meant another runway was now "a bit of a gamble", adding that the policy was "drawn up in 2003 when aviation was expanding and the economy was booming".
The Standard revealed last week that Cabinet ministers were secretly supporting a Commons revolt against expansion at Heathrow. Environment Secretary Hilary Benn and Commons Leader Harriet Harman were said to be the most concerned in the Cabinet about a proposed third runway.
Reader views (13)
Millions live under the flightpath and our quality of life will be greatly reduced, not to mention our health. To expand an airport in such a densely populated area is grossly irresponsible and the proposals should be scrapped. Brown and the Spanish owned BBA couldn't care less that these expansion will cause misery and suffering. It should be put to the vote in the Commons.
- Frank, Reading
Millions live under the flightpath and our quality of life will be greatly reduced, not to mention our health. To expand an airport in such a densely populated area is grossly irresponsible and the proposals should be scrapped. Brown and the Spanish owned BBA couldn't care less that these expansion will cause misery and suffering. It should be put to the vote in the Commons.
- Frank, Reading
Brown is thinking abt the next elections, and being selfish, we need the 3rd runway, a dip in the flights is because there is a big delay in flights to take off. Brown is going to get this country to a standstill. ~If we need to compete we need the 3-4runway at heathrow.
- Neil Patel, london
In the middle of this argument, there is a village called Sipson, which has existed for hundreds of years, it has a small village centre, school, pubs, businesses, a church, and a population running into hundreds, if the third runway is built the village will be completely wiped out, flattened off the map, families will lose their homes,and will they get fair compensation from BAA to enable them to buy a similar property in the surrounding area, I wouldn't hold my breath. All because a private foreign company wants the land for a project which could prove to be in the long term to be a complete waste of time.
- Edward, Burnham UK
When Brown is on BAA and BA'S corporate hospitality circuit and earning millions he won't care about the legacy of air and noise pollution and chronic ill-health that expansion will bring, or the fact that it has brought little economic benefit. Of course he has an agenda - making money for himself.
- Claire Moran, London UK
we should all know from former blunedrs such as the 10p tax rate, 42 days and vehicle excise duty that, once on course for a spectacular own goal, Gordon follows through until he's done the party irreparable damage before changing course at the last moment. That's why so many party members wanted him gone earlier in the year before the credit crunch provided him some handy camouflage.
- Rich, London
We live in the 21st century,just build the b----y runway,and forget the sandel wearing,lentil eating,tree hugger's.
- Brian, London
I've said it before and will do so again-this Government must have some kind of agenda to be pushing for airport expansion despite all sane arguments against so doing-and how convenient of BAA to announce today that they are helping to fund the Crossrail link, therefore putting Mayor Boris in BAA's debt of gratitude and making it more tricky for the Conservatives when elected to overturn the 3rd runway at Heathrow decision. It would not be surprising if we soon heard of BAA funding for a new rail link to Stansted so that airport too gets another runway all the more easily thanks to the Gov't 'planning' enquiry being miraculously in favour...
- Jon Kent, Hertford. UK
The number of flights is going down 1.9% this year but less reported is that oil production is down about 9% this year.
Yes, oil production peaked this summer. Square less oil production with increased demand for flights. You can't.
- Paul Davis, Hounslow
Has Brown ever listened to anyone? His dismal track record says not. There's as much chance of him and Hoon not going with the third runway as there is of them both being astronauts on the next moon landing. Add a heap more bodies to the massive crowd salivating for the next election.
- Phil Jones, London UK
Gordon doesn't care about the average British citizen and voter....he'll do what he wants to do ignoring the country.
- Mark, London
SIPSON VILLAGER
Our Lives and families destroyed the cost to us has been extreme. We have lost loved one's in this fight now rectify the damaged and blight caused to our village and property BAA. BAA invest in families and our village repay to us what has been taken away repay to us for the blight on our property caused by the third runway and leave us alone. We are families we do not deserve to be treated in this way in our own country.
Maxine Payne
- Maxine Payne, sipson village, west drayton ( The proposed village to be demolished at heathrow by BAA )
Another Crash Gordon blunder coming up!
- Jacqueline, Hampstead, London
