Spokespeople for two major airlines with bases at London Heathrow have responded to news that proposals to modernise and expand the airport have been submitted to the UK government.
Heathrow Airport Limited and the Aurora Group have each made submissions.
Welcoming that there are competing proposals, a spokesperson for International Airlines Group (IAG), the parent company of British Airways, said: “IAG supports growth and the expansion of the UK’s only hub airport, Heathrow. We think the airport can develop in a way that benefits UK customers and businesses, and boosts the UK economy, but it needs to be affordable for passengers.
“Passenger charges must not rise unnecessarily, as the CAA [Civil Aviation Authority] itself has said, which is why we are supporting reforms to the model regulating passenger charges, to maintain current levels of charges and unlock efficient spending for infrastructure.
“Heathrow expansion should increase capacity, transform our customers’ experience and deliver real value for money. A scheme that maximises the positive impact for UK plc must allow British Airways, the only national airline at Heathrow that connects domestic, short-haul and long-haul flights for passengers and cargo, to expand its network and continue to contribute to the growth of the UK economy.”
“We believe a new regulatory model from the CAA is needed now and is essential to underpin the expansion at Heathrow that the UK needs,” concluded the IAG spokesperson, who added that the company will review the proposals carefully.
A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson outlined that a thriving aviation sector is crucial to the success of the UK Chancellor’s growth agenda, stating: “As a UK flag carrier, Virgin Atlantic supports growth, competition and better outcomes for UK consumers. However, expansion cannot come at any cost.
“When Heathrow Airport Ltd says its proposals are privately financed, this only tells half the story. The current regulatory regime is not fit for purpose, guaranteeing the airport inflation-linked returns on their investment, which is ultimately paid for by consumers and airlines through higher charges.
“The CAA’s review of the regulatory approach at Heathrow in the Autumn must fully examine the current regime and alternative models that can deliver better value for money to unlock the full benefits for UK plc.”
Virgin Atlantic currently operates from Heathrow’s Terminal 3, which is 64 years old and the airport’s oldest terminal.
The airline’s spokesperson outlined that the scope and full costs of Heathrow Airport Ltd’s proposal needed to be fully understood and scrutinised, suggesting that private financing would be paid for through airport charges – already among the most expensive in the world.
They also pointed out that capacity and infrastructural improvements at airports such as New York JFK and Hong Kong International Airport were achieved for significantly lower costs.
“Virgin Atlantic has always championed the benefits of competition and we look forward to seeing further details of the Arora Group’s third runway scheme. Any proposal that delivers expansion more affordably and opens up terminal operations to competition, for the benefit of consumers and UK plc, should be welcomed and seriously considered,” added the airline’s spokesperson.
The UK government will review the proposals for Heathrow’s expansion and development over the summer.
