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The Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC) – the UK trade association for the aerospace industry – today (Thursday) hailed the Government's decision to approve a third runway for Heathrow airport.
With the development of new technologies promising to bring even cleaner, quieter aircraft to market in the near future as the new runway is built the announcement will ensure that aviation continues to be sustainable both economically and environmentally.
Ian Godden, SBAC Chief Executive, said:
“Simply put, this is the right decision in the national interest of the UK. The Government should be congratulated for taking this decision based on the facts about aviation despite being under enormous pressure to do otherwise. Aircraft are seventy five per cent quieter than they were thirty years ago as well as seventy per cent more fuel efficient than fifty years ago and new technology will drive further improvements by the time of the opening of the new runway.
“Flying currently makes up two per cent of global man-made carbon dioxide emissions and the industry in both the UK and Europe has set targets to introduce new aircraft by 2020 that will produce fifty per cent less noise and carbon dioxide emissions than their year 2000 equivalents.
“This decision will allow the UK to continue to compete with other nations in Europe who currently have greater airport capacity at their major hubs, such as France, Germany and the Netherlands. With aircraft becoming cleaner and quieter the obstacles to expansion can be removed. Not only are we confident that expansion can be achieved within the environmental limits imposed by the Government but this decision will also cut unnecessary carbon dioxide emissions from aircraft circling above the airport or waiting to take off because of the knock-on effect of any delay due to the airport currently operating at full capacity.”
For more information please see the attached press release.
 PR 2009 003 LHR third runway.pdf
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