Firms call for new airport policy

05 April 2013 09:58

A new report claims the UK needs a new airport policy to help maintain its status as a global aviation hub

A new report claims the UK needs a new airport policy to help maintain its status as a global aviation hub

The UK needs a new airport policy to help support growth in manufacturing and tourism and maintain its status as a global aviation hub, a report has suggested. A survey by manufacturers' organisation EEF found widespread frustration over the Government's current aviation policy, with firms growing impatient at the constant toing and froing over the construction of a third runway at Heathrow.

Decisions on future capacity need to be speeded up to avoid impeding future economic growth, the EEF poll of more than 200 manufacturers concluded. The strain on the UK's congested airports could be seen over the Easter break last weekend, when up to two million Brits fled the country for sunnier climes. Such numbers mean that travel delays and cancellations are possible, making travel insurance a vital holiday purchase.

"World class air links are critical to export-led growth and attracting inward investment. To keep up with the competition, we need investment across the board, in Heathrow and in regional airports," Roger Salomone, the EEF's head of business environment policy, said. "Maintaining our status as a global aviation hub is critical to our international standing and expanding runway capacity at Heathrow is the most viable way to secure this."

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