A fresh battle erupted over a third runway at Heathrow as its boss said expansion was crucial for the UK economy.
The west London airport’s chief executive Thomas Woldbye said the “demand” was there for another runway as it posted figures showing a record 39.8 million passengers travelled through its terminals in the first half of the year.
That is a jump of 7.3 per cent from 37.1 million passengers during the same period last year.
In the first half of 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic, the total was 38.8 million.
With the new Labour government saying it is not opposed to a third runway, Mr Woldbye added that Heathrow was “look forward to working with ministers to ensure we are firing on all cylinders and retain our global standing”.
Pressed on LBC Radio whether another runway was crucial for Heathrow, he said: “The demand is there and I think it’s crucial for the UK economy in fact to continue to grow.”
On expanding capacity at Heathrow, he stressed there would be a shorter term focus on how this can be done using the two existing runways, and then a decision possibly within months on longer term plans including the option of a third runway, which previously could have cost £14 billion.
But Liberal Democrat, Labour, Green and Independent MPs have already launched a Commons campaign against another runway at the west London airport.
Seven MPs including Lib Dems Sarah Olney (Richmond Park), Paul Kohler (Wimbledon), Munira Wilson (Twickenham) and Christine Jardine (Edinburgh West), as well as Jeremy Corbyn (Independent - Islington North), John McDonnell, (Labour - Hayes and Harlington), and Denyer Carla (Green co-leader - Bristol Central) have signed an Early Day Motion to voice their opposition to expanding the airport.
It states: “That this House recognises Heathrow’s renewed focus on the third runway project.
“It condemns the expansion due to its widely-recognised impact on local communities; highlights the existing impact of flying at Heathrow on south west and west London; further highlights that support for the expansion of the third runway contradicts stated commitments to achieving net zero; and urges the Government to reject the project.”
In an interview with The Standard shortly before the July 4 general election, now Chancellor Rachel Reeves said she had “nothing against expanding airport capacity” but stressed factors such as the environment needed to be considered.
The Prime Minister’s spokesman said the proposals would have to meet air and noise pollution conditions before being approved.
“The Government’s number one mission is growing the economy and making people better off,” he said.
“The aviation sector clearly is a huge contributor to the economy. The Government’s position is that it is not opposed in principle to new or longer runways or to people flying more.
“But there have to be clear conditions under which any future expansion would be justifiable and it would have to pass four clear tests.
“One of which is economic growth across the country. Secondly, it must ensure it is consistent with our binding climate change obligations. Thirdly, around noise pollution and fourthly around air pollution.”
There has been more than two decades of public wrangling over plans for a third runway at Heathrow.
She warned it would present “a serious health issue” for her constituents, and called for the Government to block the project.
Despite a fall in half-year revenues of 2.9 per cent, Heathrow swung to an underlying profit of £178 million, from a £139 million loss a year earlier, according to the figures published on Wednesday.
