Aviation policy review to be delayed

The Government is to delay further the review of aviation capacity in the South East.

The Times reports that there will be a further delay until the autumn in the review, which would listen to arguments about how best to expand capacity in airports around London to maintain international business competitivity.

The report suggests that the Goverment will use this delay to allow more mixed-mode operation at Heathrow, where both existing runways are used at the same time. This could allow an extra 1000 flights a day.

The news comes after a group of backbench Conservative MPs proposed a third and fourth runway at Heathrow, and amid rumours that Justine Greening may be reshuffled away from her Transport Secretary post. Greening, a Putney MP, has made clear her public opposition to Heathrow expansion.