UK: Heathrow finds potential savings of GBP2.5b in third-runway plan

Heathrow Airport has outlined GBP2.5b (US$3.3b) in potential cost savings relating to its proposed third runway and associated infrastructure. It suggests the reduced bill means airport charges could stay “close to today’s levels”. “The secretary of state [Chris Grayling] set us the challenge to deliver an expanded airport for Britain with passenger charges staying close to current levels,” says the executive director of expansion at Heathrow, Emma Gilthorpe. “We have now identified potential savings of GBP2.5b and are increasingly confident we can meet the affordability challenge.” The London airport will present the options – which it says would reduce the overall bill to GBP14b – at a public planning consultation in January. The changes to the proposal include making use of existing public transport and baggage infrastructure. <br/>