Responding to the announcement that the Court of Appeal has ruled Heathrow’s plans to build a third runway unlawful, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) National Chair Mike Cherry said:
“The Court of Appeal’s ruling today is a set-back, and will be disappointing to many small businesses. It is a blow to small firms who need greater regional and global connectivity, as well as more opportunities to export. Thousands also rely on air travel to develop new contacts and visit clients.
“With two thirds of the UK’s air freight already travelling via Heathrow, and the airport already running at full capacity for years, expansion would have boosted exports and connected our world-beating businesses to new markets.
“The current constraints on capacity at Heathrow, operating at 98 per cent of permitted runway throughput since 2005, makes expanding capacity essential. Additional airport capacity is clearly in the long-term interest of the UK economy and strong infrastructure is vital – not only for aviation, but also for rail and roads.
“However, it is important that any decisions made have the climate in mind and small businesses are always conscious to help the environment the best way they can.”
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