Highland Council welcomes airport commission report findings

The Highland Council has welcomed the clear and unanimous recommendation published in the long-awaited report from the Independent Airports Commission into increasing the UK's airport capacity, that increased runway capacity should be created at Heathrow Airport, London with the construction of a third runway. 

The Commissions’ report stated that “capacity constraints at Heathrow Airport have seen the number of domestic connections decline at the airport over recent years with no daily service operating between Heathrow and Inverness since 1997.”  It added that “a new runway at Heathrow will enhance the domestic connectivity of the UK, strongly benefitting the regions outside of London and the South East.”  

The Highland Council Leader, Councillor Margaret Davidson welcomed the recommendation by the Independent Airports Commission. She said: “I welcome the report's recommendation that slots are made available for services to and from Inverness. Ideally we would like to see these become available well in advance of any new runway. The importance of the link with Heathrow has long been highlighted by The Highland Council since the early work done by previous Council leaders and councillors sitting on the HITRANS board.  This is a very positive announcement for regional access to international markets.  The Council will continue to work with partners to lobby for transport improvements to ensure sustainable economic growth for the region."