Tory opposition to Heathrow third runway 'is big mistake'

Date: 8/12/2009

British Airways (BA) has warned the Conservative party that its opposition to a third runway being built at Heathrow Airport could be the "biggest mistake ever".

BA chief executive Willie Walsh has attacked Tory opposition to the plans, arguing that the party's policies on airport expansion are incoherent.

Mr Walsh claimed that Conservative leader David Cameron's environmental credentials are also being undermined by his aviation transport policy, because the party has not ruled out expanding other airports.

He asked: "If the Conservatives don't want to build a third runway, how are they going to position the UK economy to compete on a global scale in the future?"

Public opposition to a third runway at Heathrow has been strong, as many local residents object to the noise and pollution an extra runway could create.

However, proponents of the plan claim it is vital to expand Heathrow in order to boost Britain's transport infrastructure and maintain the airport as a major international transport hub.