Tories secret plot to build third runway at Heathrow
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George Osbourne is secretly pushing for a third runway at Heathrow airport, overturning a Conservative manifesto promise made in 2010.
The Independent on Sunday reports that the Chancellor has persuaded David Cameron to reconsider expansion at Heathrow because he feels that it is essential to Britain's 'hub status' for flights between Asia and the Americas.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Transport Secretary Justine Greening, who campaigned against a third runway, are said to be furious at the proposals.
Although building would not take place until after the next election, a strategy review on aviation, along with a paper on 'hub status' is due later this summer.
Secret plans being drawn up at Whitehall include the possibility of transforming the runway at RAF Northolt, a small airport six miles from Heathrow used by the Queen, into an effective third runway, which would not involve the destruction of nearby villages. It could be connected to Heathrow with a 20-minute rail link and would be completed within a few years.
Expanding Gatwick airport would be less controversial, but senior figures say that a global hub would be better positioned in West London.
A third option, to build a new airport in the Thames estuary, has been ruled out because it would take to long to build.
Both Tory and Lib Dem 2010 manifestos promised there would be no third runway at Heathrow, and the coalition agreement commits both parties to "the cancellation of the third runway at Heathrow" and "the refusal of additional runways at Gatwick and Stanstead."
Click on the image below to find out about new flight routes for summer...
Ten brand new summer flight routes to beautiful spots
- Visit the Blue Lagoon in Iceland<p> </p> <div> Iceland’s increasing popularity for Northern Lights tours triggered this new budget route to Keflavik (45 minutes from vibrant, pub-filled Reykjavík), and 20 minutes from Iceland’s famous Blue Lagoon geothermal waters. Add in stunning scenery including geysers and whale-watching trips. </div> <div> </div> <div> WOW Air launch a new route on 1 June from Stansted to Keflavik, returns from £69 wowair.is. </div>
- Explore Ibiza's Old Town<p> Beyond Ibiza’s club scene and its cobbled old town - a Unesco World Heritage site - you’ll find stunning beach coves, sleepy inland villages and varied accommodation from chic boutique hotels to restored rural farmhouses. <strong><a href="http://www.ryanair.com" target="_blank">Ryanair</a> </strong>launched a new route from Stansted to Ibiza on March 26, 2012. Returns from £45.98. </p> <div> </div>
- Visit the Kato Paphos ruins<p> A favourite sunspot for Brits, the western port town of Paphos in Cyprus with two of the most revered archeological sites in the Med - the 13th-century Castle of Paphos and the intricately tiled House of Dionysus. <a href="http://www.ryanair.com" target="_blank"><strong>Ryanair </strong></a>launches a new route from Stansted to Paphos on May 2 2012. Returns from £79. 98.</p>
- Fuerteventura's beaches<p> Fuertventura is the second largest Canary Island characterised by vast sand dunes and miles of white, sandy beaches and secluded coves. Inland are white washed buildings and a desert-like landscape. <a href="http://www.easyjet.com" target="_blank"><strong>Easyjet</strong></a> launched a new route from Gatwick to Fuerteventura on March 28 2012. Returns from £71.58.</p>
- See the wonders of Rome<p> Exuding history and atmosphere by the bucket load - piazzas (and authentic pizzas), museums, designer stores, the Colosseum, the touristy but essential Spanish Steps and the Vatican... <a href="http://www.monarch.co.uk" target="_blank"><strong>Monarch</strong></a> launched a new route to from Luton to Rome on March 25, 2012. Returns from £76. </p>
- Jersey's shores<p> With the feel of rural France and the charm of the British seaside, Jersey is the largest Channel Island, just off the coast of Normandy. There's a surprising amount to discover from surf pounding seas, pristine beaches, luxury spas and seriously good food. <a href="http://www.easyjet.com" target="_blank"><strong>EasyJet </strong></a>launches a new route from Southend to Jersey on May 2. Returns from £42.98. </p>
- Explore Nice harbour<p> Set facing the Med on the Bay of Angles, Nice is the capital of the Cote d’Azur. The old town itself has colourful cobbled streets, galleries and restaurants, plus there’s the Matisse Museum and the famous Promenade des Anglais. An hour along the coast lies glitzy Cannes, famed for its spotlight-hogging festival from 16-26 May this year.<a href="http://www.ba.com" target="_blank"> <strong>British Airways </strong></a>launches a new route from Gatwick to Nice on March 25, with returns from £99. </p>
- The Faroe Isles<p> For a lovely throwback to well-trodden tourist destinations, the Faroe Islands lie northwest of Scotland and halfway between Iceland and Norway. Set in the heart of the Gulf Stream in the North Atlantic, the summer months are the time for festivals throughout the archipelago with the Festival of St Olaf in Tórshavn livening things up from 28-29 July. <a href="http://www.atlantic.fo" target="_blank"><strong>Atlantic Airways</strong> </a>launches a new route from Gatwick to Vagar in the Faroe Islands on May 31. From £208 return.</p>
- Check out Kyrenia Castle<p> Increasing numbers of tourists are exploring the delightfully undeveloped Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Historic ruins, amazing food, wine and unspoilt beaches abound due to the history that has shaped this complex and divided island. <strong><a href="http://www.atlasjet.com" target="_blank">Atlasjet</a> </strong>launches daily flights from Stansted to Ercan (via Istanbul six days a week, via Antalya on Saturdays) on May 5, returns from £168.</p>
- Fall in love with the Vancouver skyline<p> Vancouver, Canada’s most westerly metropolis, mixes a dynamic high-rise skyline and with beaches backed by forest such as at sprawling Stanley Park. Vancouver island is famous for whale watching but for people watching hit the numerous coffee shops. <a href="http://www.virgin-atlantic.com" target="_blank"><strong>Virgin Atlantic</strong></a> launches a new route from Heathrow to Vancouver on May 24 2012. Returns from £599, </p> <div> </div> <div> </div>
