Representation by Jeanette Shepherd
- Date submitted
- 19 November 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Air passenger numbers have fallen dramatically since covid and have not recovered so demand for this expansion is not proven. Any expansion of aircraft and passenger numbers will have a significant impact on the local environment, air pollution, noise pollution and traffic congestion. Studies have shown that there will be no economic benefit to the UK from this planned expansion as it is more likely to increase the number of UK passengers travelling abroad to spend their money, rather than overseas travellers coming to the UK to spend theirs. Business travel is significantly reduced as budgets are tightened and zoom calls replace face to face meetings. Finally and most importantly the level of expansion planned will severely impact the UK Government's ability to meet it's own climate change emissions targets.