The London Assembly has unanimously called for a ban on any increase in the number of flights operating from BAA’s London airports.
In a motion agreed today, the Assembly expressed concern that following the Government’s decision to reject a third runway at Heathrow, BAA may try increase the number of flights from its airports by the back door. Members said BAA might seek to do this by operational and regulatory changes like allowing mixed mode operations and increasing the number of night flights. (1).
Murad Qureshi AM, who proposed today’s motion, said:
“Axing the proposed third runway at Heathrow has come as a tremendous relief to the hundreds of thousands of Londoners whose health and quality of life would have been damaged by the expansion of the airport. But that relief should not be undermined by any back door attempt to increase the number of flights using existing runways at Heathrow or Stansted. A shift to mixed-mode operation at Heathrow could see another sixty thousand flights a year in London’s skies, we urge the Government to resist any such attempt to get around their decision to halt Heathrow expansion. “
Tony Arbour AM, who seconded the motion, said:
“In the past Whitehall’s promises to limit Heathrow’s expansion have proved less reliable than a budget airline flight. We want the Secretary of State for Transport to say to BAA ‘thus far and no further’. The residents of London cannot be expected to tolerate any more flights in our already crowded skies”
The full text of the motion reads as follows:
“This Assembly welcomes the government’s decision to refuse a third runway at Heathrow and the BAA announcement that it would not seek planning permission for a further runway at Heathrow. However, this Assembly would strongly oppose any increase in the number of flights from its airports in and around London by other means, such as mixed mode operations, more night flights or expansion at London’s airports.
This Assembly notes the long standing opposition of the Parties in the coalition government to any increase in flights, mixed mode operations, night flights or expansion at London’s airports, and calls on the Government to firmly and openly reject any increase in the number of flights at BAA’s London airports.”
Notes for Editors:
1. Mixed-mode operation consists of planes landing and taking-off on the same runway at any time or period of the day.
2. The motion was agreed unanimously.
3. View the webcast.
4. As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.