Today's announcement by the Conservative Party that they would scrap plans for a third runway at Heathrow will seriously impact the economic well-being of the UK.

Their rationale simply doesn't match the facts, and demonstrates a lack of understanding of the airport and its workings.

Consequently, their proposals are not the solution for an airport that is readily acknowledged as bursting at the seams.

Result? Multi-national companies are liable to move off-shore, and Heathrow will fade away as an international hub airport; the UK will be the big loser.

Mike Carrivick, BAR UK Chief Executive, said:

'Railways do have a part to play in airport operations. Our airlines will welcome high-speed rail links at Heathrow, and preferably ones that avoid London all together. However, the share of domestic services that they will replace is still small and does not impinge on the urgent need to expand the airport.

'The introduction of mixed mode runway operations is a vital first step to resilience and growth at Heathrow, before the construction of a third runway.

'NONE OF THIS WILL REQUIRE PUBLIC EXPENDITURE.'

For editors:
The Board of Airline Representatives in the UK (BAR UK) Ltd represents 90+ scheduled airlines in this country in their dealings with Government, government departments, regulators and airport operators. Full details of its work, and the Board, can be found on www.bar-uk.org.

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For further information contact:

Mike Carrivick, FRAeS
Chief Executive BAR UK
Tel: 020 7393 1261
Fax: 020 7393 1206
Mobile: 07747 612840