BAA's third runway confusion will damage UK aviation,
Unite warns
12 October 2009
Responding to the announcement earlier from UK airports
operator, BAA, that it is to suspend its planning application to
build a third runway at Heathrow, Unite, the largest union in
aviation, has denounced the move as confusing and damaging for UK
business.
Unite has also decried Conservative party efforts to claim the
delay as a victory for their transport policy.
Brian Boyd, Unite national officer for aviation, said: "The
Conservatives have failed to present a feasible alternative to the
problems associated with under capacity at Heathrow Airport. The
London Mayor's proposals for an island airport on the Thames are,
quite frankly, unworkable. The plans have no costing attached to
them, nor do they consider the damage constructing this island
would do to the environment. David Cameron has floated fast rail
links as an alternative and in doing so demonstrated exactly why
his arguments that a third runway is not required lack depth.
"Unite has always supported a fully integrated national
transport network, which includes fast rail links and improved
infrastructure, but this comes at a price in terms of displacement
of people, the environment, and the overall costs. The Tories have
been largely silent on all of these issues."
Steve Turner, national officer for aviation at Unite, added:
"The confusion BAA's decision to delay will hit business confidence
that Heathrow can thrive as an international hub. Some airlines are
already casting their sights overseas to see where they can move
operations in the event that Heathrow's modernisation does not
happen. BAA's cold feet on this matter may be a shameless move to
dodge penalties should construction stumble at a later date, but if
Heathrow is to be dragged into the twenty-first century and
function as an airport which can meet its environmental
obligations, then agreement that the third runway is the sensible
way forward must be reached.
"BAA's first duty should be to the passengers and businesses who
depend on the airports of this country, not to the Tory party who,
need we remind BAA are not in government."
ENDS
For further information contact Pauline Doyle on 07976 832
861.
