London business hails airport 'first step'

London First, a group representing the capital's businesses, described today's interim recommendations are "the first step to delivery".

The three short-listed options include adding a third runway at Heathrow, lengthening an existing runway at Heathrow, and a new runway at Gatwick. It will also consider a new airport in the Isle of Grain in north Kent - the final report is due by summer 2015.

"The government must now act on the Commission’s short term recommendations and all parties must back this process to its conclusion," a London First spokesman said.

"The Commission must not join a long line of technocratic exercises spanning 50 years of inaction. Political leadership will be required to stay the course. The options for new runways must now be worked up so they can be compared, judged on a like-for-like basis and put to public consultation before the General Election."

They added:

"If the Airports Commission is not to be consigned to a long line of technocratic exercises - and inaction - over the last 50 years, we must not start unpicking its rationale. Tough decisions have been made, and tougher decisions are to come. Now is not the time to unravel the purpose of this Commission.

"We welcome the step change improvements to rail links that are recommended, particularly to Gatwick and Stansted, and which are poor compared to Heathrow and international rivals. World class rail links will spur these airports’ ability to compete for new airlines and passengers ahead of new capacity, extending the use of their assets and growing London’s access to global markets."

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said:

"A new airport in the inner estuary is the only credible hub option left. By keeping it on the table, Davies is saying you have a choice - between a damaging U-turn or a radical new vision for expansion."