Britain's airline pilots do not see a third runway at Heathrow as the end of the story, welcome though the announcement is says BALPA (the British Airline Pilots' Association).

More people from across the UK need and want to fly. That has been the history of aviation and, despite the current economic downturn, it is set to continue.

BALPA General Secretary Jim McAuslan said: 'Our European neighbours have built the capacity to cater for this, we have not. We risk becoming a branch line.

'The UK, as with so many big infrastructure programmes, lags behind and we need a more efficient airport network across the UK including more runway capacity at Gatwick and Stansted rather than even more delaying tactics like Maplin Sands.'

BALPA especially welcomes the prospect of a new rail hub at Heathrow. 'This was a key point in our own submission on the future of Heathrow and we are delighted it is to become a reality,' Jim McAuslan added.

'But the story doesn't stop here, we need better air traffic management in the skies and on the taxiways. We need better ways of getting the travelling public (and airport employees) to and from all our nation's airports

'BALPA members arriving at Heathrow see the snaking queues on the M25 and the thin Piccadilly Line and know that our action must be on a number of fronts if we are to see aviation grow in a sustainable way.'



Britain's pilots do not see the environmental caps announced today as a condition of growth as the end of the story either, welcome though they are.

'All UK citizens need to be aware that whilst aviation has been portrayed as the number 1 culprit in climate change, the truth is far different with Stern estimating that aviation will only account for 5% of the global contribution to climate change by 2050.

'The uncomfortable truth for us all is that we need to look at all aspects of our individual lives to tackle the fundamentals of climate change and singling out aviation will lead to complacency that this by itself will be enough,' Jim McAuslan said.

'Britain's pilots take their responsibility for our passengers, our economy and our environment seriously and we wish to work to deliver the vision announced today at Heathrow and across the UK in a sustainable way.'

Further information from Keith Bill 020 8656 0860 or 07968 528 527

Heathrow Runway Approval (BBC NEWS) - Click HERE