A decision to add a 3^rd runway to the London Heathrow Airport, which is the main airport of the city, has been delayed by the British government again until January, according to Geoff Hoon, the Transport Secretary, who was just appointed in October. A decision was previously promised to be given by the government by the end of the year from former Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly.

Hoon said that, in light of his new role, he wants proper consideration given to the 70,000 responses for a consultation on the airport expansion. He wrote in a statement to parliament that he knows there are strong opinions from a variety of interests and added that he will make sure that he considers the evidence before him properly, which will mean that he needs more time to make and announce a final decision in January.

According to the British Airports Authority, the owner of the London Heathrow Airport, the expansion is a necessity in order for the airport to stay competitive. They said that with the complexity of involved issues, they understand the government’s position in taking more time to consider the matter. The British Airports Authority also added that since it has taken 6 years to get where they are now in the process, they could afford to wait a little bit longer.

A third London Heathrow Airport runway would mean that capacity would increase by 2020 from 480,000 flights a year to more than 700,000 flights a year. The project is being opposed by local councils, residents, conservationists, and liberal democrats for environmental and noise reasons. However, it is still receiving much support from big businesses and airlines. The government also showed its support for the 3^rd runway in the 2003 white paper.

Find out more about the airport at: www.heathrowairport.com