BAR UK, the trade association for full service scheduled airlines in the UK, today submitted its response to the Government on behalf of its 90 members.

In November last year before the inclusion of Gatwick, BAR UK told Government that the most pressing need for new airport capacity was at Heathrow where a new short runway was needed as a matter of urgency. Because of the agreement that restricts further development at Gatwick until 2019, BAR UK members opted for extra runway capacity at Stansted as a means of achieving the extra capacity needed in the south east.

With the inclusion of Gatwick as a possible airport for development BAR UK members have revised their response. The proposal favoured is for an extra runway at Heathrow, an additional wide-spaced runway to the south of Gatwick airport and up to two more runways at Stansted. The priority remains for a new runway at Heathrow now. At Gatwick it seems likely that a new runway will be required before 2019. At Stansted the requirement will probably be toward the end of the 30-year time span that the consultation covers.

BAR UK looks forward to the publication of a white paper before the end of this year and to a bill being put forward in parliament. Aviation has suffered for too long from lack of policy and if decisions are not taken soon then our industry will fall into decline with long term effects for the British economy, tourism and employment here.

...ENDS

For further information contact:
Peter North,
Chief Executive,
BAR UK

Tel:	020 7393 1261
Fax:	020 7393 1206
Email:	peter.north@bar-uk.org