Virgin backs case for Heathrow expansion

BY RUSSELL HOTTEN Virgin Atlantic yesterday united with its rival British Airways in warning of the threat to Heathrow airport's international prominence if proposals to build a fifth terminal are blocked.

Virgin dismissed protesters' environmental objections, and said that the mantle of Europe's top airport would be taken up by Frankfurt or Charles de Gaulle in Paris unless Heathrow expanded.

Virgin, the third-biggest user of Heathrow, with about 5 per cent of the slots, is preparing evidence to the public inquiry looking at plans of BAA, the airports company, to build Terminal 5. British Airways has warned that failure to expand could mean the loss of 7,000 jobs at the company and put its core business at risk.

Virgin's evidence would underline the advances in technology that have made aircraft much more quiet. But the main thrust of its case is the threat to Heathrow's status, and the economic benefits to the economy of south-east England and to Britain's balance of payments.

"There is no doubt that if Heathrow wants to survive as Europe's number one gateway to the world it is important that Terminal 5 is built," a Virgin spokesman said. "Most of the population around Heathrow either works at the airport or are connected withit."

Virgin is fighting a protracted battle with the Heathrow authorities for more slots, and its anti-trust legal action in the US claims that BA monopolises the airport. Although BA would be the main user of a fifth terminal, expansion would help create more slots for its competitors.

Airlines are facing strong lobbying from an anti-expansion campaign by local councils, environmental groups and the Heathrow Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise.

They want to see regional airports expanded to meet the expected extra demand for air travel in the 21st century. However, BA argues that Gatwick does not have the room for expansion, and regional airports and Stansted are too remote.

British Midland, the third-largest user of Heathrow, with 16 per cent of slots, said the inspector heading the public inquiry had asked it for a response.