BAR UK: Airlines say proposed ‘Heathwick’ rail link is no solution

The costly and lengthy development, termed 'Heathwick', offers no solution to the urgent need for additional airport capacity in the South East according to the Board of Airline Representatives in the UK (BAR UK) which represents 86 airlines.

Mike Carrivick, BAR UK chief executive, said "Linking Heathrow and Gatwick by rail does not create a viable hub airport and flight connecting times would not be competitive with other airports. We do not see how the estimated £5 billion can be justified, even if paid for by others. Building an aviation policy around this concept is misguided and if airlines and airports believed a rail link could work it would have had their support years ago."