‘Quick fix’ on Heathrow flights would take five years

The business lobby group leading calls for expansion at Heathrow was today forced to admit that increasing the number of flights at the airport as an “immediate” fix to the capacity crisis would take five years.

London First’s top priority is to lift the flight cap at the airport from 480,000 aircraft take-offs and landings a year by 50,000. This would equate to an extra 65 daily flights on top of the current 650. Last month London First, represented by 25 chief executives of leading businesses, urged the Government’s aviation supremo Sir Howard Davies to lift the cap “immediately” when he makes his interim report in December or the capital’s economy would stagnate.

Sources at the Department of Transport have raised doubts about how quickly this could be achieved and today Gavin Hayes, London First’s campaign director for aviation, admitted it would take five years.

He said: “It would need planning consent and require the approval of the Secretary of State so it would take five years to deliver. It shows the urgency with which the Government needs to act to get a grip on the situation.”

To lift the cap would require approval from the Mayor and Hillingdon council and would be subject to a public consultation. If refused, Heathrow airport could lodge an appeal which could result in a public inquiry.

London First, which backs new runways at Heathrow in the long term, is also calling for improved rail links to Gatwick and Stansted and further deregulation at these airports.