Air capacity crisis could make the UK a 'third-world country' - Branson
Branson speaking at press conference during the Cancun inaugural
The president of Virgin Atlantic has claimed that the government’s current aviation policy threatens to turn the UK into a “third world country”.
Sir Richard Branson said at a press conference in Cancun that the government’s reluctance to consider expansion at Heathrow and its continued delays in conducting an aviation review is affecting “every single aspect of the UK”.
“We’re sitting here talking about whether we can do a couple of extra flights to Cancun from Gatwick but what we ought to be talking about is wholesale expansion to Asia, to Africa, to South America – giving competition on existing routes and opening up new routes that are not currently served,” he insisted.
“Great Britain came to a stop about 15 years ago and millions of travellers from all over the world are now going to European cities instead of coming to the UK,” he claimed.
Branson also declared that Virgin Atlantic will only take part in the government’s planned aviation review if a serious consideration of a fifth runway at Heathrow as a solution is made. “Unless they include Heathrow, we alongside other airlines will not participate in it,” he said. ‘It would be farcical to have a review that is not linking through the UK’s premier airport.”
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Readers' comments (5)
Richard, the UK IS already a third world country! The worst deficit ever, double dip recession, highest unemployment record,highest number of illegals in the country, dishonest bankers and the most out of touch government ever.
Re: Anonymous. The most out of touch government ever? Really? Are you forgetting already the last Labour Administration that has presided over a complete shambles of running the country and left us in this economic mess! Branson is rightly dating the current situation back to 1997 with the arrival of the discredited Blair and Brown (I have saved the world! lol). Other than that I agree with you.
Excuse me Richard the whinging Branson. It's time you stopped whining and got on with persuading the people that matter on the subject of airport capacity. Oh and let's not forget APD and your ridiculous fuel surcharges.
If Heathrow is the UK’s premier airport( aside from runway expansion approval) I experienced the so called state of the art T5 again last weekend. Our outbound flight was delayed by 20 minutes originally , then no finger available , so we went by bus to the waiting aircraft, once on board no pilot available as he was held up on a late incoming Milan flight !.. we then sat on the ground for 1hr and 15 minutes before take-off. Arrive: Berlin , straight through passport control and baggage available almost immediately. Say what you like about the Germans but efficiency rules!... The return flight on Sunday delayed by 20 minutes due to late incoming flight and Heathrow air traffic congestion !... We then circle Heathrow for another 15 minutes before eventually landing and then no Duty Manager at the gate top operate the finger … so a further 10 minutes wait. Well at least there is FAST TRACK… no guess what … not operating at this time.. so we join a massive queue including foreign passport holders to get back in to our own country !... 35 minutes later we are at the baggage claim. So we have all this amazing T5 but still the same grossly inefficient people running it !!... Sir Richard you and Willie Walsh and all the other heads of major airline operators ex Heathrow need to work or enforce penalties to BAA for charging astronomical fees for a disgraceful and un acceptable level of service. Never mind expansion which is indeed essential , you must get what you have running correctly in the first place !! No wonder other European hubs are more successful and profitable… This country is on its knees because of too much red tape and politically correct idiots in dithering government positions. Is it any wonder that we are known as the “ LAUGHING STOCK OF EUROPE”…
Re David McGregor : If you think the conservatives would have done anything differently you are deluded. the current government is just as much at fault as the last one and will continue to be so until effective growth strategies are put in place.