Economic crisis hits airport expansion

In the relentless stream of news about the economic crisis, there are a few gems that suggest the credit crisis may have some very beneficial impacts for the environment.

When people become more worried about where to get the best deal on their next meal instead of a short-haul flight for the weekend, passenger numbers fall and the need for expansion begins to evaporate, as does the money to fund it.

That’s just what has happened in Dublin with plans to build a second runway.

The Dublin Airport Authority announced yesterday that it is deferring its €200 million plan to build a second runway because of declining passenger numbers. DAA chief executive Declan Collier told the Irish Times: "We now feel the airport will not experience significant capacity constraints on the runway system for a number of years, thereby pushing back its commencement date."

Passenger numbers have also fallen sharply at UK airports over the last couple of months. BAA reported a nine per cent decline in passenger numbers at its seven airports last month, including Heathrow.

The current economic climate throws all airport expansion into question on the grounds of demand and the availability of investment capital. But this also gives us an opportunity to ensure airport expansion doesn’t go ahead in the future because of a much more serious crisis – the health of the planet.

Whatever the government’s decision on Heathrow next month, it’s clear that a third runway is far from a done deal.