UK Backs Additional Runway At Heathrow

The UK government has selected London Heathrow as the location for an additional runway to expand airport capacity in the south-east of England.

The Department for Transport said a new Heathrow runway will bring economic benefits of up to GBP£61 billion and could create 77,000 jobs over the next 14 years.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said “a new runway at Heathrow will improve connectivity in the UK itself and crucially boost our connections with the rest of the world.”

The decision comes after a commission into airport expansion delivered its final report in July 2015 recommending Heathrow.

British Airways, Heathrow’s largest airline welcomed the decision but warned that charges to customers must not go up to pay for it.

"We're pleased that a decision has finally been made but the cost of this project will make or break it… Heathrow is the world's most expensive hub airport so it's critical that new capacity is affordable,” Willie Walsh, chief executive of British Airways owner IAG said.

Virgin Atlantic founder Sir Richard Branson said on Titter “Very pleased the government has made the right decision to support a new runway at Heathrow”.