New flights hope for north

Heathrow: Boost with third runway decision

The north and north-east are poised to secure new flights to London after the man in charge of reviewing the UK’s airport capacity said the case for Heathrow expansion was “overwhelming”.

Sir Howard Davies, the chairman of the Airports Commission, has publicly backed developing the west London facility.

The former chairman of the Royal Bank of Scotland was appointed by Conservative ministers to investigate the options and his views are seen as reflective of the UK Government’s thinking.

The UK cabinet – which is divided on whether to approve a third runway – is due to announce its preference today, ahead of a parliamentary vote next year.

Heathrow bosses have already indicated that Aberdeen and Inverness could benefit from expansion, with Europe’s busiest airport looking to introduce an additional 25,000 flights a year from 2021.

Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes said: “My biggest priority is to see greater connectivity to and within the Highlands.

“That includes more connections between Inverness and London to make it easier for holiday-makers and business people to travel to other parts of the world. I also want to see more air connectivity to places like the Isle of Skye, which is currently a fivehour journey from the central belt.”

Sir Howard said the case for Heathrow expansion is now “overwhelming” and has “strengthened” since the Brexit vote. Writing for a national newspaper, he said: “It is simply not possible to avoid adding new runway capacity near London if the city is to continue to prosper in a highly interconnected world.”

The options to increase the UK’s airport capacity are to build a third runway at Heathrow, extend an existing runway, or to create a second runway at Gatwick.

Scottish ministers backed a third runway at Heathrow earlier this month, saying it would create 16,000 jobs in Scotland. Highlands and Islands Airports Limited Managing Director Inglis Lyon, said a Heathrow expansion would help improve access to the north of Scotland.

LONDON CALLING: A third runway at Heathrow could mean better links with the north and the north-east

Kate Forbes: “priority”