Passenger Terminal Today
  • News
    • A-C
      • Accessibility
      • Baggage
      • Biometrics
      • Boarding
      • Check in
      • Construction & Architecture
      • Covid-19
      • CSR
    • D-L
      • Displays & Signage
      • Expo
      • Food & Beverage
      • Ground Support
      • IT & Software
      • Lighting
      • Lounge
    • M-R
      • Operations
      • Parking
      • Passenger Experience
      • Personnel
      • Regulation & Policy
      • Retail
    • S-Z
      • Seating
      • Security
      • Self-service
      • Sustainability
      • Technology
      • Terminal
      • Wayfinding
      • Webinars
  • Opinion
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    • Showcase 2024
    • September 2023
    • June 2023
    • April 2023
    • January 2023
    • Archive Issues
    • Subscribe Free
  • Videos
  • Webinars
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • Events
LinkedIn Facebook Twitter
  • Sign-up for Free Weekly E-Newsletter
  • Meet the Editors
  • Contact Us
  • Media Pack
LinkedIn Facebook
Subscribe
Passenger Terminal Today
  • News
      • Accessibility
      • Baggage
      • Biometrics
      • Boarding
      • Check in
      • Construction & Architecture
      • Covid-19
      • CSR
      • Displays & Signage
      • Expo
      • Food & Beverage
      • Ground Support
      • IT & Software
      • Lighting
      • Lounge
      • Operations
      • Parking
      • Passenger Experience
      • Personnel
      • Regulation & Policy
      • Retail
      • Seating
      • Security
      • Self-service
      • Sustainability
      • Technology
      • Terminal
      • Wayfinding
      • Webinars
  • Opinion
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    1. April 2025
    2. January 2025
    3. Showcase 2025
    4. September 2024
    5. June 2024
    6. Subscribe Free
    Featured
    April 2, 2025

    April 2025 issue is now available online!

    Online Magazines By Web Team
    Recent

    April 2025 issue is now available online!

    April 2, 2025

    January 2025 issue is now available online!

    December 11, 2024

    Passenger Terminal World Showcase 2025

    November 12, 2024
  • Videos
  • Webinars
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • Events
LinkedIn Facebook
Subscribe
Passenger Terminal Today

UK government delays final decision on airport expansion

Helen NormanBy Helen NormanDecember 11, 20153 Mins Read

Left: A design rendering of the proposed expansion project at London Heathrow Airport

The UK government has delayed making a final decision regarding its airport expansion program until at least summer 2016.

The Airports Commission presented UK Prime Minister David Cameron with a shortlist of viable airport expansion options earlier this year, highlighting a third-runway at London Heathrow as being the best option for expansion moving forward. A second runway at London Gatwick Airport was presented as the second most favorable option.

It was widely expected that the PM would make a decision regarding which expansion plan would receive the government’s backing before the end of the year. However, a government statement issued yesterday (December 10) has now confirmed that a decision will be delayed until summer 2016, pending the results of further environmental studies.

The report stated that the government had accepted the Airports Commission’s shortlist of options and agreed that the southeast of England needed more runway capacity by 2030, but found that more testing needed to be conducted regarding air quality levels and mitigation packages for local residents.

Patrick McLoughlin, secretary of state for transport, said, “The case for aviation expansion is clear – but it’s vitally important we get the decision right so that it will benefit generations to come. We will undertake more work on environmental impacts, including air quality, noise and carbon.

“We must develop the best possible package of measures to mitigate the impacts on local people. We will continue work on all the shortlisted locations, so that the timetable for more capacity set out by Sir Howard Davies is met. At the first opportunity I will make a statement to the House to make clear our plans.”

Responding to the announcement, London Heathrow Airport said that it would work with the government to deliver the proposed expansion plan within environmental limits.

John Holland-Kaye, chief executive of Heathrow Airport, said, “The Airports Commission, announced by the PM three years ago, made a unanimous and unambiguous recommendation in July for Heathrow expansion.

“Our new plan will connect the whole nation to global growth while providing opportunities for the local community and making Heathrow the most environmentally responsible hub airport in the world. I am confident we can meet tough environmental standards.

“We have support locally and nationally from politicians, business, trade unions and the aviation industry for Heathrow expansion. Let’s get on and build a better future for Britain.”

Stewart Wingate, CEO for Gatwick Airport, said, “This is a defining moment in the expansion debate. There is now a clear choice facing Britain: growth with Gatwick or inertia at Heathrow with an illegal scheme that has failed time and time again. 

“We have always maintained that this decision is about balancing the economy and the environment. Expansion at Gatwick would give the country the economic benefit it needs at a dramatically lower environmental cost. 

“We are glad that the government recognizes that more work on environmental impact needs to be done. Air quality, for example, is a public health priority and obviously the legal safeguards around it cannot be wished away. 

“Even Heathrow’s most vocal supporters must now realize a third runway at Heathrow will never take off as the environmental hurdles are just too high. If they want Britain to have the benefits of expansion and competition they should now look to Gatwick.”

Share. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Email
Previous ArticleCAG to take over operations at Ahmedabad and Jaipur airports in India
Next Article Renovated departure lounge opens at Newcastle International

Related Posts

Baggage

Baggage mishandling rate improves by 26% in Europe’s airports

June 12, 20254 Mins Read
Construction & Architecture

Western Sydney International wraps construction and formally unveils terminal

June 12, 20258 Mins Read
Passenger Experience

Passenger survey shows success of Denver’s West Security Checkpoint

June 12, 20251 Min Read
Latest News

Baggage mishandling rate improves by 26% in Europe’s airports

June 12, 2025

Western Sydney International wraps construction and formally unveils terminal

June 12, 2025

Passenger survey shows success of Denver’s West Security Checkpoint

June 12, 2025

Receive breaking stories and features in your inbox each week, for free


Enter your email address:


Our Social Channels
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
Getting in Touch
  • Sign-up for Free Weekly E-Newsletter
  • Meet the Editors
  • Contact Us
  • Media Pack
© 2025 UKi Media & Events a division of UKIP Media & Events Ltd
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Notice & Takedown Policy

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.

CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.

Functional

Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.

Performance

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

Analytics

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

Advertisement

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.

Others

Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.

SAVE & ACCEPT