Heathrow Capacity Lack Costing 'Billions'

15 November 2012, 11:45 | Updated: 15 November 2012, 11:49

Lack of capacity at Heathrow is already costing the UK up to £14 billion a year in lost trade.

The report by the airport's operators has also found this figure could rise to £26 billion a year by 2030, the report published by Heathrow added.

Heathrow bosses are keen to see a third, extra, runway at the west London airport but this has been ruled out for the time being by the Government.

The report says the UK needs one hub airport to compete with Europe.

It added that having a dual-hub plan, where two airports would serve as hub airports would not work.

The Government has appointed former Financial Services Authority chief Sir Howard Davies to head an aviation commission which will deliver its full report on UK airport capacity needs to ministers in summer 2015 - after the next general election.

Today's report will be submitted to the commission.