UK: Transport minister says cost of Heathrow must be kept down

The cost of expanding Heathrow Airport must be kept down, British transport minister Chris Grayling said Thursday, heeding airline warnings that the airport's new runway must not be so expensive that passengers end up paying higher prices. Heathrow is Europe's busiest airport but it is now full. Members of Parliament will vote on whether to approve its expansion before July, but first the policy details on which they will vote must be finalised. Grayling gave an insight into the government's position in a speech, saying the new runway should not result in passengers paying much higher ticket prices. "Heathrow's customers should not pay for a 'gold plated' solution," Grayling said. "The expansion of the airport must provide value for money to every party."Airlines like British Airways-owner IAG and Virgin Atlantic have been vocal in their worries that the new runway could be very expensive, meaning usage costs rise so much they are deterred from using it. Grayling said he was taking those concerns on board. "It remains one of my fundamental priorities to deliver the ambition I set in 2016 – to keep airport charges as close as possible to current levels - so price increases are not passed on to airlines, and ultimately consumers," he added. Heathrow has estimated the bill for expansion at GBP14b, having said last year it could shave 2.5b pounds off the original estimate. <br/>