December 5, 2008
The British government has postponed until January a decision on adding a third runway to London’s main airport, Heathrow, Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon said on Thursday.
The government had previously promised to announce its decision by the end of 2008.
Hoon, appointed in October, said he wanted to give proper consideration to 70,000 responses to a consultation on expanding the airport, a project which pressure groups and local residents oppose on noise and environmental grounds.
“I know that there are strong views across a range of interests,” he said in a written statement to parliament.
“I will ensure that I give proper consideration to the evidence before me and will therefore take more time before making an announcement to the House (of Commons), in January 2009.”
The airport is owned by operator BAA, a subsidiary of Spain’s Ferrovial.
(Reuters)
Leisure travel agents and UK business remain positive about bookings regardless of the deprived economic outlook, as per a survey by Amadeus, a distribution system firm and travel technology.