Aviation Club welcomes BAA’s Matthews

Colin Matthews, BAA Chief Executive, was the guest of honour at London’s Aviation Club last week, the day after announcing a £211m loss for the first quarter.

Mr Matthews gave a pretty forthright presentation without the use of a prepared speech.  He took a big swipe at the Government’s airport policy saying that Heathrow would never be able to be replaced as the UK's principal, and only, hub airport.  While runway expansion was on hold, BAA would be concentrating on seriously up-grading existing facilities.  The first part of the new Terminal 2 is due to open in 2013.

He made a forceful argument about the need for transfer traffic to build hub operations saying that that transit passengers were worth much more to the UK economy than the price of their cup of coffee at Heathrow.  Moving long haul services to regional airports wasn't a viable option – intercontinental carriers required the economic dynamics of a substantial hub airport.

In answer to a question about access, he appeared to strongly hint that BAA would like to take over LHR slot ownership and distribution.

Members were reminded that the (9) June lunch would host Philip Hammond, the UK Minster for Transport. www.aviationclub.org.uk

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