UK businesses support Heathrow expansion

TIN news:   A total of 23 Chambers of Commerce that represent more than 40,000 UK businesses have written an open letter to the Airports Commission about the benefits of the Heathrow Airport expansion.
 
The chambers have said that as Heathrow is one of only six international airports with more than 50 long-haul routes, its expansion will bring the UK at the centre stage through the flights that drive tourism, inward investment and connecting UK businesses to the fast-growing markets in Asia and South America.
 
The chambers also called for support from businesses across the country during the Airports Commission's national consultation.
 
Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye said: "More and more people across the UK are recognising the critical role Heathrow plays in the success of the UK economy.
"Businesses up and down the country are making it clear that Heathrow is the only option that can help UK with the race for growth."
 
"Business is telling the Commission that Heathrow is geographically in the best location, is the only airport that can deliver flights to the world's growth markets and the only option that has exports front and centre of its expansion plans.
 
"With more than 25% of all UK exports going through Heathrow, compared with only 4% at Gatwick, businesses up and down the country are making it clear that Heathrow is the only option that can help UK with the race for growth."
 
The airport further said that connecting UK to growth was at the heart of its expansion proposal. It has also set up an independent national connectivity task force to develop proposals and recommendations to improve regional access at an expanded Heathrow.
 
The task force is also working on the final report, which will inform ongoing discussions with the Airports Commission on airport capacity expansion in the south-east.