UK 'needs more runways'

The Institute of Directors (IoD) has welcomed the latest consultation proposals published in the government's Draft Aviation Policy Framework.

Senior economic adviser for the IoD Corin Taylor praised the promotion of regional airports, as well as moves to encourage competition and improve surface access.

He also noted that the steps taken to provide rail firms with incentives to integrate ticketing with airline offerings is something that his organisation called for last year.

Indeed, the British Chambers of Commerce criticised the coalition for taking so long to implement the aviation proposals.

However, Mr Taylor underlined the fact that there are some gaps in the paper, despite the inclusion of environmental concerns such as the adherence to relatively strict limits on noise and emissions produced.

"These are fundamentally short term measures, which still don't address the overriding need for more runways - that is the elephant in the room," the expert commented.