London Heathrow bosses set out plans for third runway
Airport unveils proposal for controversial third runway; London mayor Johnson leads criticism
Britain's biggest airport, London's Heathrow, urged the government yesterday to let it build a third runway, saying its plans would provide more flights, less noise and be cheaper and quicker to build than rival proposals.
The UK government and business leaders want to expand flights to fast-growing economies to ensure the country does not miss out on billions of pounds of trade. With Heathrow operating at 99 per cent capacity, more runways are needed.
However, under pressure from green groups and its Liberal Democrat coalition partners, the Conservative-led government overturned a decision to build a third Heathrow runway after it came to power in 2010. The plan is also vigorously opposed by London's Conservative mayor Boris Johnson.
Heathrow yesterday submitted its plans to a government commission looking into raising airport capacity, which is due to publish an interim report by the end of next year. A final verdict is expected in mid-2015, after the next general election.
There will be more pigs flying than aircraft if we are to believe the claim that three runways at Heathrow will make less noise than two
The airport, part owned by Spain's Ferrovial, suggested three options: placing a new runway to the north, northwest or southwest of the hub.