In its final report, released Jul 1 2015, the Airports Commission claimed that a new north-west runway at Heathrow would deliver up to £147 billion benefit for the UK (over 60 years). The AEF (Aviation Environment Federation) has critically analysed the Commission’s various documents and concludes that “claims of £147 billion do not take into account the environmental or surface access costs associated with a new runway.” Rather, they claim, there could even be a net cost to the UK economy of £9 billion over 60 years. Furthermore, AEF says that even with some ‘wider economic benefits’ included, the benefit over 60 years would still be only £1.4 billion.
In Depth
- Read the full briefing ‘The Airports Commission’s economic fudge: How the economic case for expansion dissolves once climate change limits are accounted for‘
- Follow the AEF on Twitter
- Explore issues further with these guidelines on flying and the environment
