Post-Brexit trade negotiations could falter without third Heathrow runway, experts claim
The London airport is currently not meeting high demand for flights to and from probably key trade partners - and will need to do so, especially if the UK opts for a 'hard Brexit'
THE UK won’t get the best post Brexit trade deal without expanding Heathrow Airport, experts warned tonight.
Of the 27 countries that have so far signalled they want a new trade deal with post-Brexit Britain, Heathrow currently has five times as many flights as Gatwick connecting them to the UK.
But the London airport is not meeting the high level demand for further flights to and from these countries.
Theresa May is expected to choose which airport is given the green light for expansion within weeks.
Government insiders confident they have the parliamentary numbers to get Heathrow expansion through the Commons.
Research from Frontier Economics showed that last year 110,026 flights departed Heathrow airport for the 27 countries including Australia, Argentina and India, compared to just 21,344 from their expansion rivals Gatwick.
But last night Heathrow campaigners warned that there are high levels of “pent up demand”.
Former Tory Minister and new Heathrow boss Lord Deighton told The Sun: “An expanded Heathrow will be the springboard from which our proud nation leaps into an exciting new era of global prosperity following the Brexit vote.”
An aviation insider claimed: “When current Air Traffic Agreements are negotiated, other countries often ask for access to Heathrow for their national carrier which we can’t offer because the airport is full.”
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They warned: “Outside the EU, this could become a stumbling block in trade negotiations.”
A special airport expansion Cabinet sub-committee, chaired by the PM, will meet on 11 and 18 October to discuss where to build Britain’s much needed new runway.
Tory and Labour MPs are expected to be given a free vote when the Government’s recommendation is put before parliament.