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London mayor Boris Johnson argues case for new airport | London mayor Boris Johnson argues case for new airport |
(about 1 hour later) | |
London mayor Boris Johnson has outlined the economic case for a new hub airport in the south east of England. | 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". | 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. | 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. | But there is opposition to the scheme on environmental and economic grounds. |
'Chortling' competitors | |
Mr Johnson said: "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." | |
He added that in the next 15 years 75 million Chinese households would enter the middle classes - a "phenomenal market". | |
But, he said, their business is "already being snaffled up by our friends on the continent who chortle at our continued inertia". | |
He warned that to do nothing would lead to "economic stagnation". | |
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. |
'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. |