Saad Hammad, chief executive of Exeter-based regional airline Flybe, told CityAM that whereas building another runway at either Heathrow or Gatwick would take another 10 years, Northolt’s infrastructure was largely in place, and could be made customer-friendly within a matter of months.

He added that UK regional routes into London were under-served by the major airlines as well as by other forms of transport.

Prospect negotiator John Stevenson said: “UK regional connectivity is just as important as global connectivity for the UK economy. Northolt could therefore provide an important piece of the jigsaw, not least because an expanded Heathrow or Gatwick could end up serving fewer domestic destinations.”

He added: “Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and many other cities need increased connectivity if they are to achieve their full potential and provide employment for their inhabitants.”

For further information contact:

John Stevenson
0117 929 4441 (w)
07713 511729 (m)
[email protected]
 
Andrew Child
020 7902 6681 (w)
07770 304480 (m)
[email protected]