Post Brexit, the UK will need an expanded Heathrow more than ever - FTA

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Thursday, 20 October 2016

The UK's Freight Transport Association (FTA) has warned that if London Heathrow isn't given the green light for expansion, then after the UK's exit from the EU (Brexit), British goods will travel by road/rail from the UK to European airports and fly from there to their destinations.

An initial decision on which London airport - Heathrow or Gatwick - will be supported by UK prime minister Theresa May will be published next week (see 'Heathrow decision' story this page).

FTA deputy ceo James Hookham said: “In a post Brexit world, Britain cannot rely on European airports for access to its global markets. The need to maintain and develop a UK global hub airport is as important for future air freight needs as it is for passengers."

Best connectivity

Last year, the independent Airports Commission made a case for expanding Heathrow partly on the need to serve exporting and importing businesses by offering direct flights to the UK’s global markets. Heathrow Airport has the best connectivity to global markets of any airport in the UK, already serving more than 180 destinations in more than 80 countries.

But Britain will have to build up markets post Brexit, making access to flights that serve existing and new destinations critical for exporters and importers.

It is feared that a failure to expand Heathrow capacity and maintain its attractiveness to global airlines will see an increasing number of long-haul flights start and end at UK competitor airports in Europe including Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Paris.