Lib Dems slam Labour cowardice on Heathrow flights

4.53.10pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 16th Dec 2003

The London Assembly Liberal Democrats hit out today at Alistair Darling's announcement that the Government was looking to increase flights in and out of Heathrow by 71,000 flights a year.

Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson Lynne Featherstone said:

"Labour simply hasn't got the guts to stand up to the major airlines. Darling's cowardice is pitiful. A covenant was established when Terminal 5 was agreed, limiting the number of flights to 480,000. Agreements and promises mean nothing to Labour: you cannot believe a word they say.

"Increasing flights in and out of Heathrow also increases the living hell for those living under the airport's flight paths. Labour has chosen to back airline interests rather than Londoners, but it is Londoners who have the answer at the ballot box."