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Pilots express frustration at yet more delay to airport expansion plan

The British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA) has expressed disappointment at the news the next stage in delivering a new runway in the South East has once again been delayed.

The Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling MP, released a statement today saying the recent election meant they now need to re-start a Select Committee inquiry into the draft Airports National Policy Statement. That in turn means the final NPS will not be presented in parliament until the first half of 2018.
BALPA General Secretary, Brian Strutton said:

“Pilots and the travelling public are frustrated that this vital step towards expansion has once again been delayed. 

“Aviation brings £52 billion a year to the UK economy and we can’t afford these incessant delays to see the extra capacity become a reality.

“Pilots are concerned we could lose business to our European competitors if we don’t make the runway at Heathrow a matter of priority.

“We continue to hope for swift and decisive action so that expansion does not become bogged down in political wrangling and red tape.”