BRITISH Airways boss Willie Walsh is doubtful a third runway Heathrow Airport will ever be built.
Speaking at a BA conference at its Waterside HQ in Harmondsworth on Friday last week, Mr Walsh, who is also chief executive of the International Airlines Group, said that the airline was ‘planning for life without [a third runway]’, and buying slots at Heathrow from other airlines in preparation.
“My personal belief is that a third runway will never be built,” he said.
He also said a completely new airport was unaffordable, and voiced his opposition to mixed-mode operations at Heathrow, which allow for less strict take-off and landing times.
John Stewart, chairman of the Heathrow Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise (HACAN), a residents’ campaign group, said: “It was quite clear that Willie Wash has ruled out a third runway at Heathrow.
“It leaves BAA – now known as Heathrow Airport – looking increasingly isolated in its support for a third runway.”
Heathrow is operating at full capacity with no space to accommodate new routes, a situation which businesses say is costing the UK economy dearly, as it loses out to other European destinations.
Some believe expansion at Heathrow to be the most viable solution, while others, including Hillingdon Council and the mayor of London, have vowed to fight any fresh plans for additional runways at the airport.
The government commission exploring the options to expand UK aviation capacity, conducted by Sir Howard Davies is underway, but is not due to make reccomendations until 2015, after the general election.
