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Jun 25 2018

Prospects for future global trade are bleaker without an expanded Heathrow Airport

The Freight Transport Association (FTA), the largest and most influential business organisation in the logistics sector, has urged Members of Parliament vote in favour of plans to expand Heathrow Airport, for the sake of the continued success of British business.

 

“Brexit will provide great opportunities for British business to forge new trading relationships outside the EU,” says James Hookham, FTA’s Deputy Chief Executive.  “But without an expanding global hub airport, with increased capacity for business, the prospects for trading partnerships to be established by importers and exporters with the new world markets we will need to work with are pretty bleak. 

 

“MPs -  whether they advocate leaving the EU or not -  need to recognise the importance of being able to fly British goods around the world, from a central hub airport,” he continues.  “Without the increased flexibility and access that an expanded Heathrow will provide, it will be difficult to diversify our economy away from EU trade and maximise the opportunities which Brexit offers.  Our increasing reliance on the on-line, e-commerce ‘I Want It Now’ trading environment is based on efficient air cargo links with the rest of the world – UK suppliers will otherwise not be able to compete effectively with competitors in Asia, North and South America, and beyond.

 

“The promise of trade deals is not enough – exporters will need the means of reaching these new markets as quickly and reliably as possible if they are to compete on equal terms with local producers.  Trucking goods to Paris, Frankfurt or other European airports with the necessary connectivity would be a further handicap to seamless business arrangements, if the expansion of Heathrow is not carried out.  Flying direct from the UK has to be the best solution for British business and industry.” Read more

 

 

Source: FREIGHT TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION