Leading UK business groups are backing a letter calling on Prime Minister Theresa May to press ahead with a parliamentary vote this summer authorising construction of a third runway at Heathrow Airport.

Delays with Heathrow’s expansion

The much-delayed expansion of Heathrow, which is seen as crucial not just for future trade but also to maintain Britain’s place as a major European transport hub, has already won the vocal backing of trades unions but is being opposed by some politicians and resident groups on environmental grounds.Now the business groups, representing more than a half-million UK companies, want parliament to approve the Airports National Policy Statement, which includes provision for the Heathrow expansion, before the House of Commons breaks up for its summer break on July 24.Signatories to the letter include the Confederation of British Industry, the British Chambers of Commerce, the Institute of Directors, the manufacturers’ organisation EEF, the Federation of Small Businesses and the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The letter points out that it has been 50 years since the Roskill Commission was first established to investigate airport expansion in SE England but that nothing has happened on the ground since. It says that making a decision now to expand the nation’s civil aviation capacity has become “more urgent than ever”.

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Keeping the UK outward looking

It continues, “As Brexit approaches, Heathrow expansion is crucial to making sure the UK remains an outward-looking trading nation and is well-equipped to compete on the world stage.“For British businesses, the benefits of expansion have always been clear: connections to new markets and trading opportunities, with better links with regional airports across the UK a boost to British exports, and a skills legacy for future generations.“There are many unknowns for businesses surrounding Britain’s future trading arrangements, but what is absolutely certain is that our economic success depends on securing Heathrow’s future as a leading international airport.“We therefore urge the government to crack on with the vote on Heathrow expansion as soon as possible.”John Holland-Kaye, CEO of Heathrow Airport, said, “Expanding Heathrow is a fantastic opportunity to secure a prosperous future for Britain. We’ll create tens of thousands of new skilled jobs, drive billions of pounds of economic growth across the country and with an affordable, financeable plan that treats local people fairly.“With the clear support of Britain’s trade unions and businesses, our politicians can be confident it’s the right decision for Britain. The world is waiting for an expanded Heathrow and we’re ready to deliver.”

Future of Heathrow airport

The letter comes just days after the Heathrow Hub consortium, which is proposing construction of a runway extension rather than a third, new runway, submitted a formal complaint to the Competition and Markets Authority claiming Heathrow Airport had abused its dominant market position by “effectively and unfairly vetoing” the extended runway option.Heathrow has maintained it did not veto the extended runway project and that the government-appointed Airports Commission had come down on the side of the new, north-west runway scheme.Heathrow Hub director Jock Lowe said, “Our scheme is cheaper, quicker, quieter and easier to build than the third runway. After years of trying to work co-operatively with Heathrow Airport and the Department for Transport, we have decided it is time to take the gloves off. The consequence of Heathrow’s veto and the flawed process run by the DfT is that consumers and airlines are being saddled with its unnecessarily complex, noisy and expensive third runway which will take years to build.”For related news and features, visit our Enterprise section.Relocate’s new Global Mobility Toolkit provides free information, practical advice and support for HR, global mobility managers and global teams operating overseas.Access hundreds of global services and suppliers in our Online Directory 

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