Delay in government response to Airports Commission’s Gatwick report

The Airports Commission, chaired by Sir Howard Davies, is expected to publish its final report later this month.

The independent group will recommend whether a second runway at Gatwick Airport or a third at Heathrow is the best option for airport expansion in the south east.

However, the Financial Times has reported that ministers will not issue a formal response until Christmas.

According to the FT, a Whitehall official said there would be no immediate response beyond a cursory acceptance of the report by senior ministers.

Aviation executives had expected a full government response in the late summer. A more detailed reaction would not be issued until ‘before Christmas’, the newspaper said.

A number of high-profile Conservatives are opposed to Heathrow expansion, including London Mayor Boris Johnson and Richmond Park MP Zac Goldsmith, who is bidding to replace him.

A number of local MPs have voiced their opposition to a second runway at Gatwick, including Jeremy Quin (Horsham), Nick Herbert (Arundel and South Downs) and Nicholas Soames (Mid Sussex).

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