Government Has Already Nixed The Idea Of A Third Runway

Fearing the loss of 140,000 jobs, unions and other aviation industry interests are lobbying hard for an expansion of Heathrow Airport (pictured in file photo below), but the UK Government remains steadfastly against it.

The British newspaper The Guardian reports that, according to research conducted by Oxford Economic for BAA, Britain stands to lose some 140,000 jobs if opposition to the airport stays in place.

The general secretary of Unite, the union, said that the economy "desperately needs an airport infrastructure which is better than the patchwork provisions we currently have around the capital." Mick Rix of the GMB union was more direct, calling taking the Heathrow expansion off the table "plain daft."

Airport management company BAA, which is responsible for Heathrow, says the government should consider "all options" in its comprehensive aviation plan, which is scheduled for release this month. The white paper is expected to discuss a new hub airport near the Thames Estuary, but not a third runway at Heathrow.

BAA says it may still consider legal options if Heathrow is removed from consideration before any discussions of expanded capacity. The company said in a statement that it "expect(s) the government to carefully consider the pros and cons of all options" before making final policy.

FMI: www.baa.com, www.unitetheunion.org, www.caa.co.uk