Scottish government back Heathrow expansion

Scottish government have announced its support for plans to build third runway at London Heathrow Airport.

After securing key commitments for Scotland, the Scottish government has announced its support for plans to build a third runway at London Heathrow Airport, with the plans offering the greatest strategic and economic benefits to Scotland.

An expansion at Heathrow would create up to 16,000 new jobs and provide a significant boost to the country’s connectivity.

The airport’s commitments also include working with the Scottish Government to investigate Glasgow Prestwick Airport as a potential site for a logistics hub to support the building of the third runway.

Other benefits include £200M of construction-related spend in Scotland during planning and construction, a £10M route development fund to help support new domestic routes, and a £10 per passenger reduction on landing charges paid by airlines operating services from Heathrow to Scotland from January 2017, that will benefit existing services from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness,

There will also be a significant, long term marketing campaign at Heathrow to promote all that Scotland has to offer, and a procurement event in Glasgow to enhance opportunities for Scottish firms to win business with Tier 1 Heathrow suppliers.

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Keith Brown said: “We have been clear from the start of this process that we wanted the best deal for Scotland and building a third runway at Heathrow provides the most significant benefits to the country’s economy and connectivity.

“We have engaged extensively with both airports during this process and considered all options very carefully. Gatwick’s proposals are also to be commended.

“However, Heathrow’s plan offers significant job creation, major investment opportunities and, crucially, seeks to address how all of Scotland’s airports benefit from the new runway capacity when it comes and also in the lead-up period.”

John Holland-Kaye, Chief Executive of Heathrow Airport, said: “An expanded Heathrow would create up to 16,000 jobs in Scotland. It would facilitate more airlines flying routes to Scottish airports, meaning more flights, more competition and choice for families and businesses across the nation. That also means more visitors to Scotland, more destinations for Scottish tourists and more opportunity for Scottish businesses to reach new export markets.

“This partnership demonstrates how Heathrow expansion can work for every region and nation of the UK. Now is the time for the UK Government to make the right choice and back Heathrow.”

 

If you would like to read more articles like this then please click here

The post Scottish government back Heathrow expansion appeared first on UK Construction Online.