Chamber reacts to airport decision

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An independent report from The Airports Commission has backed Heathrow Airport’s plans for a third runway, ruling out Gatwick expansion unless the Government decides otherwise.

Cornwall Chamber CEO, Kim Conchie
Cornwall Chamber CEO, Kim Conchie

While much of the focus today has been on the villagers whose homes will be flattened should the Heathrow plans come to fruition – Cornwall Chamber of Commerce would like to see the promises about regional connectivity at the forefront of discussion.

In April of this year, Stewart Wingate, chief executive of Gatwick Airport, used Cornwall Chamber as a platform to announce his plans to launch a £20 million fund to support and incentivise new domestic and regional air services following the opening of a second runway.

Chamber chief executive, Kim Conchie, said: “I personally do not see why both plans can’t be rolled out side by side; by the time either comes to fruition it’s clear that Britain’s regional and international connectivity will require even more capacity.

“Both airports have been keen to access our members in order to put their case forward with regional connectivity at the forefront of discussion; today’s announcement comes with no mention of regional connectivity, so my message to Heathrow and Gatwick today is that they need to keep their promise of regional connectivity at the forefront of discussions and their business case.”