Beware of the noise, warns UK freight association

With final submissions on proposals for airport capacity in the UK due

today, the trade association for UK freight forwarders and logistics

service providers is hoping the Airport Commission does not get

distracted by all the 'noise' there has been on the subject in the last

few days.


The British International Freight Association's (BIFA) Director General,

Peter Quantrill, observes that with a plethora of announcements from

rival schemes ahead of this week's deadline for submissions: "the debate

is certainly hotting up and we still trust that the Airport Commission

takes a measured approach when it makes its interim recommendations in a

few months.


"Whilst many are rightly frustrated by past inertia, we shouldn't forget

that this debate has its roots in the 1970s.


"Whether the Commission recommends expansion at existing airports or

construction of a new hub airport in its interim report in December, it

is essential that any new airport capacity is both affordable and

located where airlines, passengers and the freight community are best

served.


"Ultimately this debate is not a battle between Heathrow and the rest of

the UK's airports, but with the other international aviation hubs.


"In 2009, BIFA gave qualified support to the UK government's decision to

allow a third runway at Heathrow airport.


"Of course, that decision was subsequently reversed and four years on,

we are still no closer to a decision on expanding UK aviation hub capacity.


"Despite all of this week's noise, BIFA continues to support the

structured approach of the Airport Commission to its task of reviewing

airport capacity. We have submitted our initial response to the

Commission relative to the constraints imposed by capacity limitations,

UK global connectivity, the importance of air freight and the key

facilitative role played by the freight forwarder.


"We certainly hope those views are reflected in the Airport Commission's

report later this year, and trust that the report will finally lead to

some action."