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Feature: Fate of third runway at London's Heathrow airport still up in the air

Xinhua, July 2, 2015 Adjust font size:

It is between adding a third runway at Heathrow airport, already one of the world's busiest airports, and offloading increased traffic to Gatwick airport, which also serves London-based travellers.

But London mayor Boris Johnson said his choice would see a new London airport created at the Thames Estuary, what he thinks would be the most environmentally-friendly solution.

An Airports Commission report published Wednesday suggested expansion at Heathrow, with Gatwick as a potential second choice. But, the waiting will continue for months.

Prime Minister David Cameron said in the House of Commons Wednesday a decision would be made before the end of the year.

The decision is of great interest to Britons, not just in the towns and villages around Heathrow, but to those further afield in provincial England.

Birmingham, the closest major airport to London, expressed disappointment at the prospect of a third runway at Heathrow.

Birmingham Airport bosses have opposed expansion of Heathrow, calling instead on the government to back a network of long-haul airports throughout Britain instead.

Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce said expanding Gatwick rather than Heathrow, would offer more chances for airports like Birmingham Airport to expand.

Paul Faulkner, the chamber's incoming chief executive officer said: "Concentrating everything at Heathrow now embeds an unwelcome monopoly for Heathrow and the airlines. Many business people in the Midlands want local, direct flights for both passengers and freight and not to be forced to use London airports."

Manchester Airport managing director Ken O'Toole called for Britain's national aviation policy to "address the need for the UK to develop a strong network of competing airports. It wants best use made of capacity available at Manchester in the period before any third runway is built, something that could take 15 years or more."

Meanwhile, bosses at both Liverpool's John Lennon Airport and Leeds' Bradford Airport called on the government to make a new runway at Heathrow Airport a top priority.

Both airports said a third runway at Heathrow would pave the way for regular flights to the expanded global hub.

A Liverpool airport spokesman said: "We welcome the news and now urge the government to give the go ahead of this important expansion of Heathrow so that regional airports such as Liverpool can soon benefit by the opening up of access to the UK's hub airport for improved worldwide connectivity."

Leeds Chamber of Commerce president, Gerald Jennings, said: "It is clear there can only be one solution that is right for Yorkshire, and right for Britain. Only a third runway at Heathrow will deliver for the future vibrancy and growth of the region."

Sir Howard Davies, who chaired the Airports Commission, said the conclusions were "clear and unanimous," recommending a third runway at Heathrow, with conditions attached.

He warned London's airports were showing signs of "strain" and, without action, the entire system would reach capacity by 2040. Endit