IAG calls for cheaper third Heathrow runway
- Latest News
- Thursday, 25 May 2017
Europe's IAG has called on Heathrow Airport to scrap plans for a third landing strip across the M25 motorway, saying the proposal could add GBP3 billion of costs.
Crossing the motorway would complicate the project and cause delays for travellers, IAG ceo Willie Walsh said, adding that a shorter runway - 3.2 kilometres instead of 3.5 kilometres - would be adequate.
"Airlines can operate perfectly well from a slightly shorter runway that doesn’t cross the M25," Walsh said, reiterating that IAG "will not pay for a runway that threatens both costs and delays spiralling out of control".
The airport said in response that it has several factors to balance.
The third landing strip, which waas given a green light last year by the UK government, will cost GBP16 billion and allow the airport to handle 135 million passengers annually, up from almost 76 million last year.
