FTA backs Heathrow third runway plan

Heathrow and Gatwick airports have both unveiled revised expansion plans. A third option, also at Heathrow, aims to extend one of the runways.

The final bids come after the Airports Commission published a review into the UK’s needs in January.

The FTA believes the Heathrow third runway option would be ‘good news for freight’ and double the capacity at Heathrow’s cargo area.

FTA’s Director of Global and European Policy, Chris Welsh, said: “The plans outlined by Heathrow today are very much welcomed by FTA and echo the findings in our own recent report into the issue. We have previously stated that it is imperative that the UK has a single air freight hub, and that Heathrow fulfils that role. It is an essential hub of connectivity for passengers and freight, bringing together huge resource, expertise and opportunity in one place.”

The airport plans are said to support UK freight exports, and state that the redevelopment would allow for modern access points including the potential for cargo railhead, offering faster, more efficient cargo movements at the hub, which would improve the UK’s export competitiveness and maximise economic benefits. 

FTA’s ‘Sky High Value’ report underlines that 95% of air cargo is carried in the belly-hold of passenger aircraft; air freight accounts for nearly 40% of UK imports and exports by value and employs 39,000 people, most clustered around Heathrow.

Mr Welsh added: “Heathrow is the UK’s main airport hub, but is currently operating at 98% capacity and needs to be able to expand to meet the needs of industry. It is a critical hub for air cargo, offering 191 destinations; it moves 1.5 million tonnes of freight and is vital for UK connectivity to its main overseas markets.”