The UK’s aviation policy is under wide-ranging scrutiny at the moment, with attention variously on the desirability, or otherwise, of extending Heathrow and the possibility of creating a “Boris island” airport in the Thames.
The Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), John Longworth, has widened the argument by suggesting that Stansted Airport can play an important role in boosting international trade and connectivity in support of British business.
On a recent visit to the UK’s fourth busiest airport, he met Stansted’s Managing Director, Nick Barton, to discuss a range of issues affecting aviation and business competitiveness, including aviation policy, infrastructure investment, export opportunities and access to finance.
He described Stansted as a superb airport with world-class infrastructure and noted that it has a burgeoning air freight market with significant spare capacity to take more flights, which would help to boost international trade.
“The UK desperately needs a coherent and comprehensive aviation policy for the short-, medium- and long-term,” Mr Longworth said. “Stansted clearly has a role to play.”
Mr Barton said that the airport had the permissions and facilities in place to serve 35 million passengers a year on its single runway and he was sure that it could help to build the international trade links that are vital for British business and prosperity.
