Axing Heathrow runway will threaten North’s air travel future

Nov 27 2009 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal

AIRLINE bosses have warned Newcastle it will lose links to the capital if the Tories carry out a threat to scrap plans for a third Heathrow runway.

British Airways chief executive Willie Walsh has told North East business leaders it is of “vital regional importance” that a third runway is given the green light.

Speaking in Newcastle yesterday, Mr Walsh said there were “no guarantees” that the city could keep its daily landing slots if the Tories stick to their proposal to block planning permission for the new runway.

The North East is the only UK region to export more than it imports, a success which is built on international links via Heathrow, Mr Walsh said.

But this could be threatened if an £8bn third runway plan, paid for out of private business funds, is scuppered by a green-minded David Cameron.

Mr Walsh said: “We can’t turn our back on this now – these airport links are an integral part of the country’s growth.

“They (the Conservatives) have to be aware of the consequences for jobs and industry, not just in London, but for regions across the country and in particular for the North East.” He added: “This is about not just connecting Newcastle to London, because there are many ways to get there, but to the rest of the world.

“Businesses here in Newcastle are not just trying to sell to people in Tyneside but to get investment from the rest of the world.

“More and more airports have lost their connection to Heathrow because of the lack of slots and that threat is growing.

“It makes sense for us to continue connecting to Newcastle but without a third runway we cannot guarantee those links will remain.”

Mr Walsh said he believed many opponents of a third runway in London and the South East “just don’t get it, they don’t see the importance such routes have to businesses in regions such as the North East”.

Newcastle International Airport chief executive David Laws said any future Government has to consider the half a million passengers travelling to London each year from Tyneside and the impact of losing that trade on business.