UK set to lose out on air routes to emerging countries

The UK runs the risk of failing to attract key airline routes to emerging markets unless capacity is increased at airports in the London area.

The Civil Aviation Authority made the warning in a new report in which it also calls for extra runways to be introduced in the south-east of England.

The authority also added that unless capacity is increased then it expected fares to be forced up by an extra £10 per passenger on a return ticket by 2030. This would represent an additional £1.7 billion being passed on to passengers.

CAA Civil Aviation Authority (UK): Oversees and regulates all aspects of aviation in the UK. It was established under the Civil Aviation Act in 1972. chief executive Andrew Haines said that it has been more than 70 years since a new runway capable of handling Boeing 747s and Airbus A380s had been built in the south-east.

“Additional capacity would offer significant benefits for consumers, and for the UK as a whole, so long as it is delivered in an environmentally sustainable way,” said Haines.