Calls for Heathrow to sell its train line

BRITISH Airways owner IAG has called on Heathrow to sell its high-speed rail service and focus on running the airport.

The airline, which has been at loggerheads with Heathrow management over the high cost of building a third runway, now wants it to sell its Heathrow Express train line.

Heathrow Express charges as much as £27 for a single ticket between the airport and London, but is facing a threat from Crossrail, which is due to start running rival services in May. Crossrail’s entrance into the rail market is expected to hike Heathrow’s infrastructure costs and could result in higher landing charges being imposed on airlines.

Heathrow is revealing plans for its expansion on Wednesday which could see billions cut from the current price tag of £14bn.