The British government today announced that cabinet had approved plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport after years of argument and delay.
“Hopefully, today’s news is the beginning of the end of years of procrastination over the expansion of UK aviation capacity,” said Robert Keen, director general of the British International Freight Association (Bifa).
“If that is the case, it is long-overdue good news for our 1 500 member companies who have been dismayed over the ongoing delay on such a huge issue.
“However, we understand that MPs will now be asked to vote on the issue in the coming weeks and, given the track record of parliament on this issue over the last 20 years, uncertainties remain.
“Whilst the UK Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling has previously hinted at an expedited planning procedure, with no reopening of high level arguments, the inevitable legal challenges and the convoluted planning processes that are also likely, lead me to wonder whether any expansion will be completed by the time that UK aviation capacity is predicted to run out in 2025.”
