Abta calls for further investment at Gatwick

The Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) has welcomed the government's decision to allow construction of a third runway at Heathrow Airport but highlighted the need for similar investment in Gatwick Airport.

Abta said that the "barrage of criticism" that Heathrow Airport has received in recent years is largely attributable to the fact that it is operating at 99 per cent of capacity.

Mark Tanzer, the travel association's chief executive, said a new runway will help address this problem, while strict criteria on gas emissions will limit the airport's impact on the environment.

However, if there is to be a significant improvement in the air travel situation in London and south-east England, there must also be investment in Gatwick Airport, according to Abta.

"Abta believes that demand for air travel in the UK is strongest in the south-east and its other main airport, Gatwick, is also in urgent need of a new runway and infrastructure investment," Mr Tanzer said.

Gatwick is the second busiest airport in the UK, with 35 million passengers a year. Its most popular international destinations are Malaga, Palma, Alicante, Tenerife and Orlando.

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