Airlines issue Heathrow third runway warning as they slam ‘quality of service’

Airlines have raised concerns over Heathrow’s third runway plans as they believe its effectiveness as a hub airport is hampered by the way it is run.

Transcript

00:00A recent survey has found many airlines that provide services to and from Heathrow Airport

00:09have significant concerns over the airport's efficiency, and more than two out of three

00:15airlines agreed that the airport's operation stifles their ability to increase investment.

00:21In short, these are big concerns if the airport is going to get another runway.

00:28Let me give you some numbers. Some 60% of respondents believe Heathrow's service levels

00:35inside terminals are worse than at other major airports, with claims of long security lines,

00:42baggage system failures and poor treatment of passengers, which restricts mobility. And

00:4990% of respondents to a survey of 50 carriers which use the West London Airport agrees with

00:55the assertion the airport's effectiveness is hampered by the way it is run. I might

01:02add Heathrow is supposedly the world's most expensive airport for charges, with airlines

01:09paying £1.1 billion more each year than if fees were in line with equivalent major European

01:16airports. Of course, these charges are ultimately passed on to customers through airfares. These

01:24concerns are now pushing airlines to question the effectiveness of any potential third runway

01:30at Heathrow, as now sanctioned by the government as part of the Chancellor's growth plans,

01:37with the intention of boosting not only the local economy, but also the national economy.