Heathrow expansion will need airspace modernisation, Business Travel Association warns

Any expansion of Heathrow will require “much-needed” airspace modernisation, the government has been told.

The message came from the Business Travel Association 24 hours before an expected announcement that chancellor Rachel Reeves will support a third runway at the London hub.

BTA chief executive Clive Wratten warned that Heathrow’s expansion plans “cannot be made in silo”. 

He said: “Improved transport services to and from airports as well as investment in regional transport should be prioritised. 

“These expansions play a fundamental role in future proofing the UK’s multi-modal transportation network, seamlessly connecting air, rail, and road. 

“Enabling access for those in underserved regions and ensuring greater equity in transport links creates meaningful opportunities for businesses and people travelling for work.”

The BTA chief urged the travel industry to work collaboratively with Heathrow and the wider travel ecosystem “to ensure the highest sustainability standards are achieved with this expansion”.

Wratten added: “We need commitment from the government to implement the much-needed air space modernisation programme to reduce the number of aircraft circling above London waiting to land.

“Investments in greener aviation technologies and  alternatives such as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) will be critical to making UK’s net zero goals a reality, ensuring the most efficient and sustainable flight paths and enabling the growth necessary to support our economy.”

Welcoming the proposed development of a third runway, he described Heathrow as playing an “essential role as an enabler of economic prosperity, facilitating trade and investment”.

Wratten noted: “The expansion at Heathrow will provide our airport infrastructure and travel management companies, who we represent, with much-needed additional capacity.

“It will enable the UK to compete on an equal footing with leading global connectivity hubs such as Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport in France and Frankfurt airport in Germany who both boast four runways. 

“These airports are pivotal to their nations’ economic success, and it is imperative that the UK matches this level of global connectivity to strengthen its position as a world leader in business.”