Media release

Wednesday 11th May 2016

For immediate release

Historic announcement from Heathrow will make the airport a global leader

  • West London Business has welcomed today’s announcement by Heathrow that they accept all the Airports Commission recommendations and will exceed them in many areas.
  • WLB’s Chief Executive, Andrew Dakers, says this shows the airport has been actively listening to the community’s concerns – and the airport is now scoping out an operating model that will make it a global leader in managing its community and environmental impacts.
  • The sub-region’s economy is the most productive per worker in London and the airport has been the critical driver in West London’s contribution of £50bn+ GVA per annum to the UK economy – making it the UK’s second largest economic powerhouse.

Andrew Dakers, Chief Executive of West London Business, said:

“Ending youth unemployment in the surrounding boroughs. Extended compensation schemes for homeowners impacted by expansion. An increase from five to six and a half hours respite at night. A proposal for the Environment Agency to act as an independent aviation air quality authority. This is a visionary set of proposals that will make Heathrow a global leader in managing its community and environmental impacts.”

“It is now vitally important that the Government presses on with a decision before the summer recess. With every day wasted, businesses look to other European cities to base their headquarters, taking jobs out of the UK.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor

Image - Andrew Dakers, Chief Executive of London Business. Download from:

Heathrow press release with policy detail including letter to the Prime Minister can be downloaded from

About West London Business

West London Business works to ensure West London stays the best place to do business. West London is the UK’s second largest economic powerhouse with £50 billion GVA and 70,000+ businesses. We are a business-led organisation with a blue-chip board that includes corporations such as SEGRO and PwC, as well as key regional firms such as Fullers and Brompton Bicycles. We have a membership of many hundreds, 12,000+ supporters and 24+ events per annum, including the West London Business Awards.

Our commitment is to raise West London’s global economic competitiveness, whilst pursuing social and environmental sustainability. We work towards these goals by providing insight, voice and connections to our members and the wider business community. Through this programme we inform and influence the work of local, regional and national government policymakers and promote inward investment. To find out more, visit

Media contacts:

Andrew Dakers, Chief Executive

M: 07788 116159

E:

Clarence Bretz, Policy & Events Coordinator

M: 07449 785556

E:

West London Business Chamber of Commerce Ltd.

Company limited by guarantee, registered in England number: 02934029

VAT registration number: 674069512