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BA’s Alex Cruz believes Heathrow’s shareholders, rather than airlines, should fund a new runway


BA repeats threat to move over Heathrow runway bill


CARRIER ISSUES WARNING AS GOVERNMENT PREPARES TO SIGNOFF A THIRD RUNWAY AT HEATHROW. IAN TAYLOR REPORTS


The government is on the verge of giving the go-ahead for a third runway at Heathrow, with an announcement expected on Tuesday.


However, British Airways chief


executive Alex Cruz hit out at the projected cost of the runway last week, telling the British Air Transport Association (Bata): “Any notion that the cost will be borne by airlines is not acceptable.” Transport secretary Chris Grayling had been expected to


80 travelweekly.co.uk 20 October 2016


announce the decision this week, but a parliamentary by-election in Witney, Oxfordshire, on Thursday is believed to have prompted a delay. A cabinet committee will


reveal a preferred option next week. The Financial Times reported both the prime minister and the Treasury have signalled a third runway will go ahead, although a Downing Street spokesman insisted: “We haven’t taken a decision.” The government-appointed Airports Commission recommended


building a third runway at Heathrow in July last year following a near three-year inquiry. The runway is expected to be financed in part by increased landing charges. But Cruz warned BA and parent group IAG could switch operations to alternative hub airports if charges rise. BA and its sister carriers hold more than 55% of the take-off and landing slots at Heathrow. Speaking at the Bata annual


lecture in London last week, Cruz said: “We have a lot of choices when it comes to developing the assets the group has.” He insisted Heathrow’s shareholders should


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