Heathrow expansion must benefit north - business leader

NORTH business leaders have called for swift action to ensure Inverness and the surrounding region benefit from the expansion of Heathrow Airport with a controversial third runway.

Scottish Council Development and Industry (SCDI) Highlands and islands director Fraser Grieve called for guaranteed access to Heathrow slots to improve Scotland’s connectivity and for all political parties to commit to delivery.

Mr Grieve added: "The inability of the UK’s largest airports to expand had seen commercially viable domestic routes squeezed out, and we must ensure that we will not see that past experience repeated when this new capacity begins to fill up.

"The north of Scotland continues to see growth in key sectors and plays an increasingly important role in driving our economy. The UK’s Hub airport must work for the whole UK and it is vital to ensure that areas without a competitive surface alternative have access enhanced and safeguarded.

"Since the reinstatement of an Inverness to Heathrow service in May this year we’ve seen a huge surge in visitors to the Highlands and islands, and improved access for businesses, highlighting the benefit that hub access brings. It has seen that 40-50% of passengers on this new service have connected through Heathrow from international destinations.

"SCDI are pleased a decision has been reached but would have hoped swifter progress could be made in order to deliver the increased airport capacity needed to enhance the UK’s competitiveness."

The government today (Tue) approved a third runway at Heathrow to expand UK airport capacity.

Although Heathrow has always been the favourite among businesses, it has attracted the most opposition from MPs with constituencies near the airport or under flight paths.

SNP Transport spokesperson Drew Hendry MP has said the decision to increase airport capacity in the South East of England is welcome but that businesses and travellers alike will be frustrated that there is at least a year before there is a decision in parliament to finally go ahead and that will just mean more ‘dither and delay’.The Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has announced that Heathrow is the preferred choice and that a new runway is the best option.

SNP transport spokesman Drew Hendry MP, Inverness, warned against government "dither and delay."

He said: "It is of course welcome that we finally get a decision - but true to form – the UK government’s indecisiveness and muddle which we have witnessed for years on this, continues.

‘’There is still a long way to go before parliament even gets to vote on it - and the Tories are deeply and bitterly divided about it -so for businesses and travellers there will still be frustration.‘’Whilst expansion at Heathrow can and must benefit Scotland, there will be disproportionate benefit to the South East of England and London."UK government must ensure that when this does eventually get approval that Scotland gets a fair deal from the process. We should see a commitment on route investment, guarantees to Scottish cities and an equitable share of any public spending that might be accrued coming to Scotland.
"For the wider benefit they must also make a proper commitment to supporting new airspace plans, bio fuels for aircraft and the use of carbon reduction technology.

"The long soap opera over airport capacity seems set to continue - so, as welcome as today’s announcement is – there is no room for yet more dither and delay."

Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd's Inverness based boss Inglis Lyon said: “This is the right decision for Scotland. If business and tourism are going to continue to thrive in the Highlands, then we need access to the rest of the world - a quality connection to a hub airport like Heathrow is vital to that process.

“Clearly, there is still much to be done and we are still a long way from any new runway being completed, but this is an important step forward.

"However, it is imperative that all parties involved work to maintain and enhance our current connection with Heathrow to ensure we are in the best position possible to maximise the additional benefits the new runway will bring.

“Whilst we understand there was a valid case for Gatwick to be chosen, Heathrow’s expansion will enable a second daily flight to and from Inverness Airport and also opens up the possibility of a direct flight from Dundee.

“The success of the recently launched BA flight between Inverness and Heathrow - one of BA’s most successful domestic routes - clearly demonstrates the considerable demand for air travel to and from the Highlands to the rest of the world.”

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