Commenting on the Government’s decision to approve Heathrow Airport’s expansion plans, BritishAmerican Business CEO Duncan Edwards said:

“BritishAmerican Business welcomes the Government’s decision to approve Heathrow Airport’s expansion. This marks an important milestone for the transatlantic business community and for the UK’s global competitiveness.

“As the UK’s largest port by value, handling over £215billion of trade last year, Heathrow is a crucial part of the UK’s business story. For UK and US companies, it is the primary gateway in the transatlantic economic corridor, providing connectivity to more than 30 US cities, and supporting more than 18 million transatlantic passengers yearly.

“Expanding Heathrow will create tens of thousands of jobs, boost economic growth, and provide the additional capacity needed to strengthen the UK’s position as Europe’s hub for North America, and a world-leading gateway for US trade, travel, and investment.

“While we applaud the idea of expansion, it is important that the project is designed in such a way, and the costs are managed, so that Heathrow remains attractive and accessible for all its users. The expansion must represent value for money and remain affordable for airlines, passengers, and businesses. If a cost-effective expansion can be ensured then the economic benefits can be felt by all of the airport’s stakeholders and the UK as a whole.”