Regional Benefits


The economic benefits of Heathrow’s long-haul connectivity extend well beyond London and the South-East.  For many regions, having a link to a global hub airport is vital for economic development 

A coalition of Scottish business groups recently published a letter calling for a third runway to protect the Scottish economy’s links into the global marketplace:

“Scots business – large and small – need affordable, competitive links to a strong Heathrow, through which to channel people and goods to emerging and established international markets which can only be reached through a global hub airport.”

Likewise, up to 10,000 people attended a protest when Aer Lingus withdrew its route from Shannon to Heathrow.  

Flights from UK airports to Heathrow provide vital connections between the UK’s regions and the long-haul destinations that only Heathrow can serve.  This is demonstrated by the high proportion of transfer passengers on flights to key regional destinations:

  •     Manchester – 74%
  •     Leeds – 60%
  •     Edinburgh – 49%
  •     Aberdeen – 46%
But capacity constraints at Heathrow are rapidly reducing the number of regional airports served from Heathrow.  Without additional capacity at Heathrow, many of these passengers would be forced to fly via an alternative European hub airport instead.  

This is already happening - Heathrow now only offers six routes to the UK regions but Amsterdam provides 19 and Paris 14. This does nothing to combat climate change emissions but in the long-term will significantly damage UK jobs and competiveness.  

Some people have suggested the a high-speed rail network could provide a suitable alternative to domestic flights.  Follow this link to find out more about high-speed rail and Heathrow.