Says It Counter's Argument By Heathrow Officials That 'Attack' Gatwick's Case For Expansion

London Gatwick has submitted what airport officials say is an in-depth assessment of Heathrow’s argument that only expanding Heathrow can meet the UK’s future aviation needs. They say the 24-page submission to the Airports Commission is a direct response to documents released by Heathrow in recent months that represent and attack on Gatwick’s case for expansion.

"Gatwick’s case for a second runway is compelling," said London Gatwick Chief Executive. "Compared to Heathrow we are cheaper, quicker, have a significantly lower environmental impact and we are the most deliverable solution. Since the breakup of BAA, passengers have enjoyed the huge benefits of competition with Gatwick free to invest, attract airlines and provide genuine quality and choice for passengers. We want passengers and airlines to continue to benefit from that competitive market with a second runway at Gatwick. Heathrow’s answer for passengers is to re-establish their monopoly which will mean high fares forever, and huge environmental damage to their local communities.”

Heathrow has stated its case for a new runway on the basis that only a hub airport, and therefore only Heathrow, can attract and sustain long haul services and published its attack on “Gatwick’s 10 years of failure” to make the point.

Gatwick officials contend that all airports see routes come and go year-on-year. Heathrow is no different. "Route churn is not the indicator of success or failure. Leaving aside the fact that Gatwick lost many of these routes when it was under the ownership of BAA (now Heathrow), the commercial nature of airlines means that route churn is a reality for all airports. In 2012, Gatwick has added 6 and lost 5, while Heathrow has added 2 and lost 4," the report says.

Under new management and through a heavy investment program to physically transform the airport, Gatwick now has direct flights on sale to long haul and emerging markets including Indonesia, Russia, China, New York, Los Angeles and Vietnam, the report says. The airport already serves more UK and international destinations than any other UK airport, providing the destinations people want at prices they can afford.

Heathrow has ignored the importance of the short haul markets and the Low Cost Carrier model. 70% of London demand today is from the UK and Europe. This is unlikely to change significantly in the decades to come as Europe will remain by far the UK’s largest trading partner. Low Cost Carriers will account for the majority of this growth yet they cannot operate out of Heathrow. The physical constraints at Heathrow make quick turnaround times impossible. Heathrow’s very high passenger charges price LCCs out of the airport today even before adding in the costs of any third runway in the future.

Gatwick officials say the Commission has a choice; promote a three-runway Heathrow supported by a one-runway Gatwick or a two-runway Heathrow complemented by a two-runway Gatwick. It is clear that building the next new runway at Gatwick is the best and most deliverable option for the UK. It will generate the most competition, offer most choice and exert most price discipline on both airports and airlines. The lower airline fares will stimulate demand which in turn will generate more growth and more routes and frequencies. Furthermore, a choice of airports will offer more convenient access and shorter journey times to more travelers within London and the South East and it will avoid the excessive overloading of surface access (especially road access) that would occur under the Heathrow expansion plan.

Heathrow officials released a brief statement saying it does not oppose a second runway at Gatwick, but "Heathrow is the UK’s only hub airport and competes with Frankfurt, Paris and Amsterdam for transfer passengers to support long haul routes. As the country’s most important point to point airport, Gatwick serves a different market.

"There is a clear business case for a third runway at Heathrow regardless of whether Gatwick is also permitted to expand. We do not agree with Gatwick’s stance that there can only be one new runway in the South East and we would welcome a solution in which both airports were allowed to grow to deliver choice for passengers and airlines."

(Artist's rendering of an expanded Heathrow airport)

FMI: www.gatwickairport.com, www.heathrowairport.com