Heathrow: Enterprise M3 makes a case for a Heathrow Hub

Maintaining and developing Heathrow’s position as an international airport hub is vital to the economic success of the Enterprise M3 area. This was the key message that came out of a recent meeting in Woking of the area’s business leaders. 

Over 25 key business leaders, including senior managers from Skanska, Novartis Pharmaceuticals and Carillion, attended the meeting, organised by the Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership, to hear about Heathrow’s current position on aviation capacity in the UK.

Speaking at the meeting, Nigel Milton, director of policy & political relations, said: “We, at Heathrow, have really valued this opportunity today to meet with business leaders from the Enterprise M3 area and put forward our case for Heathrow as the hub airport for the UK.

“Our belief is that if the Government wants to expand its airport capacity, the fastest and most cost-effective way to do this is to expand Heathrow. By doing this, they will be building from a position of strength; boosting airport capacity that is already there and, thus, connecting our country to the growth we need.”

Businesses attended also had the opportunity to discuss their views on the importance of Heathrow to their businesses. They voiced concerns that included:

• That many of the big businesses in the area are here because of their proximity to Heathrow. There is genuine concern that if Heathrow is no longer the UK’s hub airport, many businesses may move out the area.
• That the current debate is creating “a generation of uncertainty” over the future of Heathrow resulting in business opting to locate to other global centres whose long-term future is known.
• That any change in hub status would result in a loss of jobs from the area. It is estimated that up to 63,200 could lose their jobs should Heathrow lose its hub status. In Spelthorne, 3,900 residents who currently work at Heathrow could lose their jobs which would lead to a rise in unemployment from 5% to 12%. There are also 3,500 other jobs in related industries located in Spelthorne which could be lost.
• Businesses recognised that the area had real economic advantage through close proximity to both Heathrow and Gatwick and pressed for infrastructure improvements to enable easier access for all residents and business.

Geoff French, chair of the Enterprise M3, said: “This has been an incredibly important meeting of minds. Business leaders from across the Enterprise M3 area got the opportunity to hear, from Heathrow directly, why it is proposing that it should be the only hub airport in the UK. At the same time, they were able to tell Heathrow what issues regarding aviation capacity are important to their business.

“Business has been repeatedly telling us how critical the access and the status of Heathrow is to their success. We will be continuing to champion the need for aviation capacity and I would encourage all companies whose business is impacted by this issue to make your voice heard to Government, either individually, using business organisations or through the LEP.”