IATA Comment on Heathrow Development Proposals

Geneva – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) issued the following comment with respect to proposals for the future development of London’s Heathrow Airport by Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL) and by the Arora Group.

“There are clear economic arguments pointing to the benefits of expanding airport capacity in the Southeast of the UK. That includes UK’s only global hub, Heathrow Airport. We applaud the government’s decision to support the UK’s global aspirations by advancing plans to expand Heathrow. This must not, however, come at any cost or make any assumption that the current operator is best placed to deliver the value that the UK’s economy will critically need for growth.

HAL’s performance should give pause for concern and careful scrutiny. It regularly fails to meet agreed service level standards. The March closure of the airport was an embarrassment on the global stage that leaves little room for confidence in the airport’s management. HAL’s joy in being the world’s second most expensive airport proves that it cares little about its customers—be they airlines or travelers. And HAL’s self-promoting suggestion that its proposal is somehow superior from the get-go because it may have a head-start in the planning process willfully ignores the true priorities of the UK, airlines and travelers.

The billions of pounds that have already been invested in Heathrow have under-performed, disappointing both passengers and airlines. So it is doubly important for the billions that will be invested in any expansion to be much better spent. That means focusing on efficiency in all aspects—cost, operations, and customer experience.

Airlines look forward to reviewing both proposals in detail to be able to assess their merits, particularly their costs and consumer benefits. The government’s decision on the way forward must be well-informed by the airlines who will ultimately be charged to use whatever is built.

Without any pre-judgement, having the Arora proposal already brings a welcome new perspective from a company with a respected track record and familiarity with Heathrow. This decision is too important to be left solely to HAL’s viewpoint,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

Aviation is a critical industrial sector for the UK, contributing $160 billion to its economy (4.8% of GDP) and employing some 1.6 million people.

> View the report on the value of aviation for the UK (pdf)

For more information, please contact:

Corporate Communications
Tel: +41 22 770 2967
Email: corpcomms@iata.org