48 | Big Picture
As a result, they operate at around 75 per cent of capacity, and are
much more resilient to operational disruption. Heathrow, by
contrast, operates at 99 per cent of capacity, which is chronically
inefficient. It urgently needs breathing space to cope with even
the existing level of flights, to avoid grinding to a halt at the
slightest disruption.
Without new capacity, Heathrow will fall further behind its
European competitors, handing them a substantial long run
competitive advantage.
THE ALTERNATIVE TO EXPANSION
AT HEATHROW
Opponents of Heathrow expansion put two distinct sets of
arguments forward. First, there are objections to new airport
capacity anywhere in London and the south-east of England,
regardless of its location. They are motivated in particular by the
climate change debate. Among their suggestions are:
Building new high-speed rail links to reduce demand for
domestic and short-duration international flights.
Encouraging the development of more international air
services from regional UK airports to reduce the need
for connections at Heathrow.
Reducing the number of transfer passengers at
Heathrow.
Raising the cost of using Heathrow substantially
through higher landing charges or slot auctions.
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
Heathrow Frankfurt Paris Amsterdam
No of destinations served from European hub airports, 2007
CHART 2
180
265
Source: Future Heathrow
223
260

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