Gatwick launches ‘regional roadshows’ to outline why expansion plans will deliver greater connections for UK businesses

Published on : Monday, October 6, 2014

Gatwick-AirportGatwick Airport today begins a series of regional roadshows at Chambers of Commerce throughout the UK, outlining why plans for a second runway would offer a bigger economic boost and greater connections for UK businesses.
 
Over the next six weeks, Gatwick will visit nine Chambers of Commerce throughout England, Scotland and Wales to discuss the airports capacity debate and the key issues for UK businesses. The first event takes place today at the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce in Newquay followed by further events planned for Edinburgh, Sheffield, Hampshire, Inverness, Aberdeen, North-East, Liverpooland South Wales (see full list further below).
 
The regional visits begin as Birmingham Airport announced its support of a Gatwick second runwaybecause of the benefits it offers to regional growth. Birmingham Airport CEO Paul Kehoe commented that “growth at Gatwick will support demand for greater connectivity, improving value for passengers flying from the South East and supporting the continued growth of our regions”.

 

A second runway at Gatwick is among the options shortlisted by the Airports Commission for the UK’s next runway. Gatwick will use the sessions with regional Chambers of Commerce to outline why its expansion plans would deliver greater benefits and connectivity for UK businesses based on a number of key areas including:

 

Gatwick already serves more regional destinations than Heathrow whose domestic services have been progressively cut back
 
Gatwick expansion will create capacity for more regional flights, connecting 15 UK airports to Gatwick and supporting incentives and competitive charges for increased regional services

A second runway at Gatwick will help deliver more domestic passengers to and from London (18 million by 2050) than expansion at Heathrow

 

An expanded Gatwick will enhance connectivity from UK regions, giving regional passengers and businesses a genuine choice of two gateway airports in London

 

Regional businesses travelling to London would benefit from lower fares through Gatwick expansion, particularly important for the growing low-cost business market

 

Expansion at Gatwick will deliver more flights and more worldwide destinations

compared to Heathrow – this will provide transfer options for regional passengers to a much wider range of worldwide destinations
 
Expanding Gatwick would create greater competition among London airports and help other UK airports continue to compete and grow – expanding Heathrow would simply mean a return to the stale monopoly of the past, reducing choice, increasing fares and threatening the viability of other UK airports

 
Gatwick expansion is the most deliverable option – it is a cheaper, faster and simpler scheme that will maximise the UK’s connectivity sooner, at lower cost for users
Gatwick CEO Stewart Wingate said: “The airports debate is of national significance, affecting not just London but passengers and businesses the length and breadth of the UK. These roadshows are an invaluable chance to outline why expansion at Gatwick is the best choice for the whole of the UK, delivering more benefits and greater connections for British businesses.

 
“As the business community will know, driving competition is the best way to create more choice, better standards and lower prices. Only expansion at Gatwick could achieve this, creating greater competition among airports in London and the South East and helping other UK airports continue to compete and grow.”

 
The dates and locations for the events hosted by Gatwick and British Chambers of Commerce are:
Cornwall Chamber of Commerce (Newquay) – Thursday 2nd October
Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce & Enterprise – Thursday 9th October
Liverpool Chamber of Commerce – Thursday 16th October
Hampshire Chamber of Commerce (Farnborough) – Wednesday 29th October
Inverness Chamber of Commerce – Tuesday 4th November
Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce – Monday 10th November
North-East Chamber of Commerce (Newcastle) – Tuesday 11th November
South Wales Chamber of Commerce – Wednesday 19th November
Sheffield Chamber of Commerce – date to be confirmed
Gatwick representatives will be available for media interviews at each event – please call the Gatwick press office on 01293 505000 to make arrangements.
 
Source:- Gatwick Airport

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