Arora group boss proposes plans for third runway at Heathrow airport
Surinder Arora, owner of the private hotel and property company the Arora group, has proposed a ‘cheaper' plan for a third runway at Heathrow Airport.
Heathrow's new runway and terminal is expected to cost £17.5b, while Arora's plan would be £6.7b cheaper.
The plans have been submitted to the Department of Transport and Arora wants the government to look carefully at its proposals and to challenge the current monopoly status at Heathrow.
Arora said: "We want passengers to be at the heart of our plans and the current monopoly at Heathrow, which over-charges airlines and in turn raises fares for passengers, is not the right model for the future. Heathrow needs competition and innovation which puts passengers and airlines at the heart of the expansion project.
"We have brought together some of the world's leading experts in infrastructure and aviation to develop the proposals that we have submitted to the government. In addition, our own advisory board brings in unparalleled experience including former British Airways CEO Sir Rod Eddington.
"We are now calling on the government to consider more carefully how competition can improve Heathrow's offer to passengers, and how airlines at the heart of these plans will benefit passengers. We look forward to working with the new government to discuss these issues and how our proposals can help improve the airport's expansion."
Arora's proposals include a possible shift of the runway so that it does not impact on the M25 and M4; not building the £1.0b passenger transit system for airside passengers; and reducing the site area by 20%, which significantly reduces demolition and groundworks required.
Arora has commissioned initial modelling from experts on the impact of both the plans with and without an improved runway location.
More information can be found at: http://heathrow.thearoragroup.com
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