Study: Public support for Heathrow airport expansion growing

A recent survey by the UK Government shows increasing public support for airport expansion.

The ‘Public experiences of and attitudes towards air travel’ study shows that people living near Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, London City and Stansted are more likely to be in favour of expansion at their local airport than they were in 2010.

Nearly half (47%) of respondents said they were in favour or strongly in favour of the expansion of their nearest airport compared to just 20% against. This is an increase in support for local expansion relative to the 2010 survey (41% in favour and 25% against).

CEO of Heathrow, John Holland-Kaye said: “This independent study confirms that support for airport expansion is growing. More people understand the benefits of a third runway to local communities including the creation of 50,000 more jobs, improved public transport and thriving local businesses.

“Since 2010 we have listened to local residents and developed a new approach to a third runway at Heathrow that delivers the benefits of growth but with less impact for local people.”

The survey comes after Populus polling from earlier this year showed that Heathrow residents were 25% more likely to vote for a councillor if they backed Heathrow expansion. 48% of participants in the Populus survey said they supported a third runway at Heathrow and 57% said they felt positively towards the airport.

Heathrow has this week launched its latest local consultation which will help to determine how the £550m noise and property compensation package should be shared.

For the full report please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/336702/experiences-of-attitudes-towards-air-travel.pdf