+ HEADLINE NEWS: Heathrow short runway plan thrown out

A plan to replicate the Luton Airport runway as Heathrow’s third has been thrown out by the Department for Transport (DfT) claiming that the proposal “does not substantially meet the criteria" for the runway. 

Led by Malcolm Ginsberg, Editor-in-Chief of Travel News Update, and one of the instigators of London City Airport 40 years ago, a small team of air transport experts had submitted a scheme to introduce a new short strip on land north of the present Heathrow concrete, with a targeted completion date of 2031. It is a straight copy of the Luton Airport runway! 

Ginsberg points out the Consortium’s new runway is environmentally friendly, cheaper and has no impact on the M25.  “Luton Airport flies to 130 destinations from a runway 2200m in length. We do not want the government-supported monstrous, expensive Heathrow Airport Ltd runway some 3500m long, causing chaos as it builds over the motorway. The Heathrow proposal is rumoured to be 400 pages and at the end of the day will add to airlines, and hence passengers, costs!   Hotelier Surinder Arora’s scheme for a 2800m strip is also too long but could be shortened and has its merits.    By copying the Luton airstrip, we can creäte a new runway far quicker, much cheaper, and with less inconvenience”.   

The DfT’s response was abrupt and less than welcoming “we will not be considering your proposal,” it said, “or further proposals!”  No chance of an appeal then. 

Malcolm Ginsberg's CV  www.travelnewsupdate.co.uk/article/1075

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READERS' COMMENT

All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 200 words maximum

Chris Pocock, Uxbridge, UK

What do you expect from a government that only offers simplistic, impractical and totally invalid solutions to the UK's growth problems?

David Starkie, United Kingdom

What game was DTp playing. AS I understand it, Malcolm was invited to submit a short runway proposal and then go on to claim it does not meet the criteria. Did they make their criteria available. Malcolm, ask them for it in response.

James Shea, London

My comment refers to a report in The Telegraph that the airport is to sponsor the Reform party's lounge at the forthcoming party conferences

James Shea, London

What is Heathrow up to. The MD needs advise from people who understand the British party political system. Forget the 3500m runway. It will never happen

James Shea, London

What is Heathrow up to? The MD needs advise from people who understand the British party political system. Forget the 3500m runway. It will never happen