Heathrow has said a new report shows that environmental conditions are not a “show-stopper” in terms of its expansion.
It is citing the Independent Transport Commission’s (ITC) report called The Sustainability of UK Aviation: Trends in the mitigation of noise and emissions.
The report, Heathrow said, shows that the main contributors to air pollution around the airport are cars, not aircraft. It says despite passenger numbers increasing by almost 80% over the last two decades, road traffic levels have remained broadly the same because of better public transport.
Heathrow director of sustainability Matt Gorman said: “Heathrow takes air quality issues seriously. This report adds to the evidence presented by the Airports Commission that road traffic is the main contributor to poor air quality and it is a national problem which needs government action. Heathrow has worked to maintain airport-related traffic broadly static since the 1990s and is taking action to reduce emissions further by switching to electric vehicles and increasing public transport options for passengers and colleagues.
“Heathrow has called for local and national partners to work together on a plan to reduce the impact of non-airport related vehicles, which are the major source of local air pollution. The huge benefits of additional capacity at our airport need not come at the expense of the environment – Heathrow expansion can deliver for both.”