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<p>The Government is clear that the Northwest Runway scheme at Heathrow will be financed
by the private sector. Ahead of the decision to designate the Airports National Policy
Statement (NPS) the Government and its independent expert advisors concluded that,
so far as can be assessed at this early stage of the process, Heathrow Airport Limited
(HAL) is able to privately finance expansion without Government support.</p><p> </p><p>The
Secretary of State for Transport set out a clear ambition in 2016 for airport charges
to remain as close as possible to current levels in real terms. The Secretary of State
has re-commissioned the CAA to oversee, and report on, how well Heathrow Airport Limited
is engaging with the airline community on its plans for expansion with the objective
of achieving value for money for the consumer. This follows on from a previous commission
during which Heathrow announced the identification of potential costs savings of up
to £2.5bn.</p><p> </p><p>Ultimately, the CAA will determine the level of airport charges
in lines with its primary duty to further the interests of consumers (passengers and
freight operators). In its most recent consultation the CAA noted that there are “credible
scenarios in which capacity expansion can be delivered affordably and financeably,
with airport charges per passenger remaining close to current levels in real terms
and line with the ambition expressed by the SoS [Secretary of State] on these matters
in 2016”.</p>
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