Heathrow delay could cost €43bn, says business group

The UK could lose up to £31 billion (€43bn) in trade by 2030 because of the failure to increase flights to Brazil, Russia, India and China alone, according to research.

The Confederation of British Industry said the study shows the stark need to build a new runway at Heathrow, as recommended last week by the Airports Commission.

If there are delays to new runway capacity beyond 2030, the annual cost to the UK economy in lost trade with the countries could be up to an additional £5.3bn, which will rise each subsequent year, the business group warned.