20/05/13…Proposals for new airport hub scotched

PROPOSALS that could have seen a new, four-runway airport built at Haddenham, near Thame, have been scotched by Heathrow Airport Holdings Ltd, who commissioned work to look into such a possibility.

In a letter responding to one sent by Thame’s MP, John Howell, expressing the concern of many of his constituents about such a proposal, HAH Ltd have said: “We believe that maintaining a strong hub airport in the UK is of vital importance to our economy, jobs, investment and trade.”

“The story that appeared in Aviation Week recently, concerned early drafts of (these) concepts developed by our consultants. We do not endorse the designs and I can confirm that we will not be proposing plans for a new airport as part of our submission to The Airports commission in July.”

John Howell said today: “The news brings to an end the saga of a proposed new airport at Haddenham. The proposal was put forward in order to convince the Airports Commission that Heathrow had done a full job in looking at alternatives.

“?I am glad that Heathrow has confirmed that Haddenham is not a serious proposition. The letter confirms that the airport is interested in a strong hub airport which presumably means it is interested in expanding at Heathrow. This should come as welcome relief to Thame and to the surrounding villages as far south as Henley who would be affected by noise from takeoffs and landings.?