BAA welcomes response to transport Select Committee report

BAA welcomes the Committee’s conclusion that the Government should play a greater role in providing investment and coordination during weather-related disruption to the UK transport network.

Several of the Committee’s recommendations which relate to airports are also supported by BAA, particularly those that aim to put passenger welfare at the heart of airport operations and that aim to maintain Heathrow’s international connectivity and status as the UK’s only long-haul hub airport.

BAA rejects the Committee’s impression that Heathrow was “totally unprepared to recover from any major incident which necessitated its closure”.

A BAA spokesperson stated:

“We reject the Committee’s impression that Heathrow was “totally unprepared to recover from any major incident which necessitated its closure”. This is contrary to the findings of the Begg Enquiry which found that BAA had historically “demonstrated its ability to respond well to earlier weather events” and also contrary to the evidence from the airspace closure caused by volcanic ash in 2010.”

“We welcome the Committee’s recommendations concerning improved welfare provision for stranded passengers. We are making progress with Heathrow’s airlines on delivering a better deal for passengers during periods of disruption. For instance, last month we agreed a process with airlines for publishing revised flight schedules in the event of disruption. We have also agreed processes with ground handlers for moving aircraft back from parking stands so that we can clear snow from many stands at the same time.

“We have also allocated up to £50 million to invest in improving the airport’s resilience during future severe weather events.”

You can download the Begg report here