The link between Heathrow’s third runway and Dubai
I stumbled across an interesting story in The Telegraph a few days ago.
As many of you probably already know, for some time BAA, the owner of London’s Heathrow Airport, has been trying to get permission to build a third runway.
As with all of these schemes there has been staunch opposition to the expansion, mainly from local residents and environmental protesters, but also from the Tories and Liberal Democrats. On the other side stand the airlines, business (CBI) and trade union (TUC) leaders who say that 172,000 jobs could be endangered if the plans are rejected.
At this point you may wonder what relevance this story has to a blog about Dubai. Well, this is where things get interesting. Lord Soley, head of the Future Heathrow campaign says:
“Dubai is a very direct threat to Heathrow. It is clear that Dubai is setting itself up as a primary international and business centre creating links between America and the Far East. Dubai is targeting Heathrow and other European airports.”
While Heathrow struggles to obtain permission to construct one new runway Dubai is busy building six.
Since publication of that story, the British Government has approved the plans. But opposition is still coming from all sides and, if anything, appears to be intensifying by the day.
The Mayor of London, the Tories, the Liberal Democrats, many Labour MPs, environmental campaigners, local residents, celebrities and other groups have vowed to challenge the decision, which is far from final.
It is feared in Britain that a negative outcome for the BAA could result in Dubai soon overtaking Heathrow as a major international hub, potentially jeopardising the entire future of the airport.
All eyes, both in Dubai and the UK, are on Heathrow.
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- Dubai stable now but gains will be harder in future
- Travel to Dubai
- World’s biggest candy store opens at Dubai Mall
- Airlines that fly to Dubai
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