- Britain's Global Gateway
- Attracting Foreign Investment
- Importance of a Hub Airport
- Regional Benefits
- Heathrow and Jobs
- Vulnerable To Foreign Competition
Vulnerable To Foreign Competition
Heathrow’s economic importance is clear but the problem is that Heathrow is full. Its two runways operate at 99% of capacity, which means the slightest problem – heavy rain, fog or head-winds – can result in serious delays.
In contrast, Paris has four runways, Amsterdam five and Frankfurt three, with a fourth approved and due to open in 2011. All operate at approximately 75% of capacity and so are better able to cope with problems. They have fewer delays and are able to offer more destinations as a result.
Air travel is a globally competitive business. If airlines can’t fly from Heathrow, they will fly from other hub airports. Since 1990, Heathrow’s list of destinations has dropped from 227 to 180. By comparison, Amsterdam offers 260, Paris 223 and Frankfurt 265.
The trend is clear even before Dubai completes its new six-runway hub airport, with the explicit aim of wresting from Heathrow the airline traffic that connects the United States and the Far East. Dubai sees this as a key element in its ambition to the worlds greatest business centre.
Standing still is not an option. If Heathrow is to stay in the global league, then a third runway is vital to keep it, and by extension the UK, competitive.
| Current passenger numbers (mppa) | Runways | Destinations served | Current ATMs (arrivals and departures) | 2010 ATM capacity | % full | |
| Heathrow | 67.5 | 2 | 180 | 477,000 | 480,000 | 99% |
| Frankfurt | 52.8 | 3 | 265 | 490,000 | 660,000 | 74.2% |
| Paris CDG | 56.8 | 4 | 223 | 541,000 | 710,000 | 76.2% |
| Amsterdam Schipol | 46.1 | 5 | 260 | 440,000 | 600,000 | 73.3% |
Table key
mppa: million passengers per annun
ATMs: air traffic movements
% full: Current ATMs as a proportion of 2010 capacity