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London mayor Boris Johnson argues case for new airport | |
(40 minutes later) | |
London mayor Boris Johnson has outlined the economic case for a new hub airport in the south east of England. | |
Making a speech to business leaders and representatives of the aviation industry, he said the constrictions of Heathrow Airport were becoming "ever more apparent and ever more damaging". | |
A £40bn plan for the Thames Estuary has been put forward to increase flight capacity without expanding Heathrow. | |
But there is opposition to the scheme on environmental and economic grounds. | |
Mr Johnson said: "Even on a good day, Heathrow is serving fewer destinations than 10 years ago, down to 167 from 200 while Heathrow's continental rivals are continually widening their ambitions and expanding their capacity." | |
He added: "As the world economy changes and global power shifts to the East, the constrictions of London's hub airport are becoming ever more apparent and ever more damaging." | |
Passenger demand for London's airports is forecast to increase from 140 million passengers a year in 2010 to 400 million passengers a year by 2050, according to a report by the Greater London Authority. | Passenger demand for London's airports is forecast to increase from 140 million passengers a year in 2010 to 400 million passengers a year by 2050, according to a report by the Greater London Authority. |
The report released in January argued it would be possible an extra 85 million passengers could travel through London's airports each year, within the environmental targets the government has adopted. | The report released in January argued it would be possible an extra 85 million passengers could travel through London's airports each year, within the environmental targets the government has adopted. |
'Absolutely nuts' | 'Absolutely nuts' |
But when the plan to build a facility between the Essex and Kent coasts was debated in October, concerns were raised about damage to the environment. | But when the plan to build a facility between the Essex and Kent coasts was debated in October, concerns were raised about damage to the environment. |
The RSPB, Medway Council and Kent County Council have opposed the idea, saying it is "undeliverable, unaffordable and unnecessary". | The RSPB, Medway Council and Kent County Council have opposed the idea, saying it is "undeliverable, unaffordable and unnecessary". |
They have launched a campaign website where they say people can email the mayor directly. | They have launched a campaign website where they say people can email the mayor directly. |
Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary is among those who have criticised the financial case for the transport hub, saying that London needs more runways at the existing airports rather than a new one. | Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary is among those who have criticised the financial case for the transport hub, saying that London needs more runways at the existing airports rather than a new one. |
Mr O'Leary said: "I think it's absolutely nuts, there's no requirement for any new hub airport." | Mr O'Leary said: "I think it's absolutely nuts, there's no requirement for any new hub airport." |
In May last year plans for a third runway and sixth terminal at Heathrow were scrapped when the coalition government took office. | In May last year plans for a third runway and sixth terminal at Heathrow were scrapped when the coalition government took office. |