BA parent IAG called on Heathrow Airport to scrap plans for its new runway to span London’s orbital highway, saying the proposal could add US$3.9b of costs. Extending Heathrow’s third landing strip across the M25 motorway would also complicate the project and cause delays for travelers, IAG CEO Willie Walsh said Wednesday. A shorter runway that’s 3.2 km long rather than the 3.5 km planned would be adequate for flights and should allow the London hub to maintain charges to carriers at the current level or even to reduce them, Walsh said. “Airlines were never consulted on the runway length and they can operate perfectly well from a slightly shorter runway that doesn’t cross the M25,” the CEO said, arguing that Heathrow hasn’t adequately assessed the extension’s financial implications. “We will not pay for a runway that threatens both costs and delays spiraling out of control.” IAG has shared its views with the government as part of a consultation paving the way for a new national policy statement on airports, which is being prepared to help accelerate Heathrow’s expansion. Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye has said the airport is considering a ramp to span the M25, an option that could be cheaper and less disruptive than building a tunnel as initially envisaged.<br/>