The long-awaited go-ahead for a new terminal at Heathrow bodes well for Southend Airport's expansion, director Roger Campbell said today.

He spoke after the Government approved proposals for a fifth terminal at Heathrow which has been the subject of a record-breaking public inquiry.

The fact that a new terminal has now been cleared for a planning application means there is still strong confidence in the aviation industry despite the widespread fears that have arisen in the wake of the September 11 terror attacks, he said.

Mr Campbell today said: "Despite a decline in air transport, aviation has always had peaks and troughs throughout the years.

"I think terminal five will meet the future demand because aviation is a growth area."

Southend Airport's expansion plans would allow it to handle flights to a much wider variety of destinations, such as Malaga, Rotterdam and Amsterdam.

Although the decision on the new Heathrow terminal may be a boost, Southend Airport still has to overcome a number of hurdles including moving the 11th century St Laurence and All Saints Church by 100 metres to accommodate new runway buffer zones.

Mr Campbell added: "There is also another equally important study of runway capacity in the south of England being carried out and hopefully the results of that will be determined in the next two to three months."

Published Wednesday November 21, 2001

The long-awaited go-ahead for a new terminal at Heathrow bodes well for Southend Airport's expansion, director Roger Campbell said today.

He spoke after the Government approved proposals for a fifth terminal at Heathrow which has been the subject of a record-breaking public inquiry.

The fact that a new terminal has now been cleared for a planning application means there is still strong confidence in the aviation industry despite the widespread fears that have arisen in the wake of the September 11 terror attacks, he said.

Mr Campbell today said: "Despite a decline in air transport, aviation has always had peaks and troughs throughout the years.

"I think terminal five will meet the future demand because aviation is a growth area."

Southend Airport's expansion plans would allow it to handle flights to a much wider variety of destinations, such as Malaga, Rotterdam and Amsterdam.

Although the decision on the new Heathrow terminal may be a boost, Southend Airport still has to overcome a number of hurdles including moving the 11th century St Laurence and All Saints Church by 100 metres to accommodate new runway buffer zones.

Mr Campbell added: "There is also another equally important study of runway capacity in the south of England being carried out and hopefully the results of that will be determined in the next two to three months."

Published Wednesday November 21, 2001