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A major revision to the predicted economic benefits of a third runway at Heathrow has “trashed” govt evidence in support of the controversial expansion, opponents have claimed. The govt has increased the amount it expects Heathrow project to contribute to the nation’s economy over 60 years by a fifth to GBP74b. It represents a E13b increase from the figure laid out only a year ago. The change has been seized upon by Heathrow opponents who accuse the govt of massaging numbers to support Heathrow ahead of rival Gatwick. Paul McGuinness, chairman of the No 3rd Runway Coalition, said: “An inescapable point about the figures is that when it comes to the economic argument, which was one reason Heathrow was backed in the first place, they now show the genuine possibility of Gatwick being ahead.” <br/>

Low-cost airlines' employment models could come under greater EU scrutiny under a provision pushed by EU lawmakers concerned about their effect on aviation safety. The practise of employing pilots on zero hours or pay-to-fly contracts, or via temporary third-party agencies, has drawn criticism from labour unions who say it encourages them to have a lower perception of risk or fly even when are ill or tired. The European Parliament and representatives from EU member states are working on a compromise to a reform of EASA which will give it a new mandate to probe any links between "socio-economic" factors and safety. The provision was pushed by the group of Socialists in the Parliament, concerned that some low-cost airlines put too much pressure on their pilots to fly, thereby risking passenger safety. <br/>