18/12/07


PRESS RELEASE: FRANKFURT RAPIDLY OVERTAKING HEATHROW AS GERMAN AIRPORT’S FOURTH RUNWAY GETS GO AHEAD


Frankfurt, the third largest airport in Europe today announced it has been given the go ahead to build a fourth runway which will see it overtaking Heathrow with 700,000 flights by 2020 and enabling it to become a much stronger competitor at an international level in the growing airfreight industry. 

In response to today’s announcement, Lord Soley, the Campaign Director for the coalition group Future Heathrow said: 

‘This development, where Frankfurt has been given permission to build another runway to add to the three it already has, is a very serious warning to London. It is another example of the UK falling behind our competitors and we should not underestimate the risk.  

‘I have looked at the detail, and it is quite clear to me that Frankfurt aims to overtake Heathrow by 2020.  It has plans for 700,000 aircraft movements by 2020 and a doubling of passenger growth.  This will also strengthen its ability to compete in the rapidly growing airfreight industry.  Currently, 67 million passengers pass through Heathrow which has only two runways and a capped 480,000 flights per year.    
 
‘Frankfurt is one of Europe's premiere airports and is rising to the challenge of meeting the demands of 21st century travel.  It is also a major financial centre, home to the European Bank. London should take note.   We have to take this seriously and invest in our own infrastructure.’ 

Ends. 


Notes to editors:
1.	For further information contact Lord Clive Soley on:  07785 250456
Future Heathrow website: www.futureheathrow.org

2.	www.ausbau.fraport.com for information about Frankfurt’s Fourth Runway Development

3.	Future Heathrow is a coalition of airlines, aviation bodies, business and trade unions campaigning for a sustainable Heathrow. Members include: Amicus, ATAG, BAA,  BALPA, BAR UK, BATA, bmi, British Airways, Boeing UK, CBI, Destination Heathrow, GMB, IATA, London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Airline Operators Committee (Heathrow), London First, Thames Valley Economic Partnership, TUC, TGWU, Virgin Atlantic Airways, and West London Business.
(info@futureheathrow.org)