Heathrow threatens legal action over third runway

Transport Secretary Justine Greening was warned today she could face legal action from Heathrow for blocking the third runway plan.

Airport operator BAA said a judicial review was an “option”

if it was felt she had ruled out the option unfairly or without due process. Tomorrow BAA is due to issue a report on the economic cost of failing to expand Heathrow, written by consultants who backed the 2003 government report which supported the Third Runway.

Yesterday some 70 business leaders and groups signed an open letter demanding the debate over the third runway be reopened.

The battle over airport expansion in the South-East is heating up ahead of the Government’s aviation strategy paper, due this spring. Putney MP Ms Greening has made clear she is ruling out a third Heathrow runway, in line with the Tory election manifesto and the Coalition agreement. Labour has also turned against the idea.

But a BAA spokesman said: “All options should be on the table. It is important that major decisions by Government follow due process, and the option to seek a judicial review if they do not is always available. We expect Government to carefully consider the pros and cons of all options and consult properly before taking decisions.”

The Department for Transport said: “The Government will consult on an overarching sustainable framework for UK aviation and we will publish a call for evidence on maintaining effective UK hub airport connectivity.”