TONGE; "PREDICTABLE RESPONSE FROM BA"

12.06.33pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 22nd May 2003

Dr. Jenny Tonge, MP for Richmond Park

Jenny Tonge, Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond Park, responding to news of British Airways' support for a third runway at Heathrow Airport said: "This support by BA for a third runway at Heathrow is entirely predictable. "

"They seem incapable of thinking outside the box – for them it's got to be Heathrow (or Stanstead, or Gatwick) or bust."BA of all people must be aware that the National Air Traffic Service is already struggling to cope with the crowded skies in the South East.

"The British Airports Authority's own submission to the Secretary of State for Transport admits Heathrow is quite capable of supporting London's "world city" status without a third runway. And I am challenging them to produce the science behind their assertion that the Government's figures on the pollution which would be caused by a third runway are over-estimated."

"If we must have more runway capacity in the South East, then a new hub airport in the Thames Estuary should not be ruled out.

ENDS

For further information please contact Dr Jenny Tonge MP on 07699 734071 or Serena Hennessy on 020 8332 7919