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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Budget airline Easyjet backs Heathrow expansion | Budget airline Easyjet backs Heathrow expansion |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Budget airline Easyjet has said it is in favour of expanding Heathrow airport. | Budget airline Easyjet has said it is in favour of expanding Heathrow airport. |
| In a submission to the Airports Commission, the airline said expanding Heathrow would provide greater passenger and economic benefits. | In a submission to the Airports Commission, the airline said expanding Heathrow would provide greater passenger and economic benefits. |
| Easyjet has 11 bases in the UK with the biggest at Gatwick, which is bidding to build a second runway rather than expand Heathrow. | |
| The company said Heathrow expansion was in the "best interests" of passengers. | The company said Heathrow expansion was in the "best interests" of passengers. |
| 'Increased airport charges' | 'Increased airport charges' |
| In the submission, Easyjet argued expanding Gatwick would lead to a "significant increase" in airport charges and that would mean higher fares for passengers. | In the submission, Easyjet argued expanding Gatwick would lead to a "significant increase" in airport charges and that would mean higher fares for passengers. |
| Chief executive Carolyn McCall said: "Heathrow is in the best interests of passengers as it has the greatest demand. | Chief executive Carolyn McCall said: "Heathrow is in the best interests of passengers as it has the greatest demand. |
| "By comparison, the Gatwick proposal requires a significant increase in airport charges. | "By comparison, the Gatwick proposal requires a significant increase in airport charges. |
| "This would inevitably lead to higher fares for Gatwick's passengers, the vast majority of whom are flying for leisure." | "This would inevitably lead to higher fares for Gatwick's passengers, the vast majority of whom are flying for leisure." |
| A Heathrow spokesman said: "It is great news for Heathrow passengers and we look forward to working with Easyjet to deliver new routes and services." | A Heathrow spokesman said: "It is great news for Heathrow passengers and we look forward to working with Easyjet to deliver new routes and services." |
| A spokesman for Gatwick Airport said Easyjet's position was based on its own "narrow commercial interests". | A spokesman for Gatwick Airport said Easyjet's position was based on its own "narrow commercial interests". |
| "The government however, will have to make a decision for the country balancing what is best for both the economy and the environment. | "The government however, will have to make a decision for the country balancing what is best for both the economy and the environment. |
| "Gatwick can deliver its second runway without the massive environmental damage which has stopped Heathrow expansion time and time again." | "Gatwick can deliver its second runway without the massive environmental damage which has stopped Heathrow expansion time and time again." |
| Last year, the Airports Commission published its shortlisted options into airport expansion. | Last year, the Airports Commission published its shortlisted options into airport expansion. |
| A public consultation on the options ends on 3 February and the commission's final report is due later this year. | A public consultation on the options ends on 3 February and the commission's final report is due later this year. |
| Analysis: Richard Westcott, Transport Correspondent | Analysis: Richard Westcott, Transport Correspondent |
| Why would Easyjet, Gatwick's biggest customer, want a new runway at Heathrow? | Why would Easyjet, Gatwick's biggest customer, want a new runway at Heathrow? |
| Well, money. | Well, money. |
| Easyjet says the bare fact is that most passengers want to fly out of Heathrow. | Easyjet says the bare fact is that most passengers want to fly out of Heathrow. |
| Adding a new runway, it argues, would allow a big low cost carrier, like Easyjet for example, to get a foothold in the country's biggest airport. The extra competition, it claims, would force the likes of British Airways to cut their fares. | Adding a new runway, it argues, would allow a big low cost carrier, like Easyjet for example, to get a foothold in the country's biggest airport. The extra competition, it claims, would force the likes of British Airways to cut their fares. |
| Another runway at Gatwick, it says, wouldn't attract as many passengers or airlines, and that lack of competition would mean fares going up. | Another runway at Gatwick, it says, wouldn't attract as many passengers or airlines, and that lack of competition would mean fares going up. |
| All this is hotly disputed by Gatwick as you can imagine. They reckon that expanding their airport will lead to more competition, not less, which would be good for customers. | All this is hotly disputed by Gatwick as you can imagine. They reckon that expanding their airport will lead to more competition, not less, which would be good for customers. |
| So it's a significant day. A big player in the runway row has shown their hand. | So it's a significant day. A big player in the runway row has shown their hand. |
| By setting up the Airports Commission, the coalition buried its splits over where to build a new runway. But the uneasy truce can only last so long. | By setting up the Airports Commission, the coalition buried its splits over where to build a new runway. But the uneasy truce can only last so long. |
| The commission makes its recommendation straight after the general election. Whichever scheme it picks is bound to open up more divisions. | The commission makes its recommendation straight after the general election. Whichever scheme it picks is bound to open up more divisions. |
| Follow Richard on Twitter at @BBCwestcott | Follow Richard on Twitter at @BBCwestcott |