Simon Calder: Nowhere else but London would a temporary runway closure lead to 200 flights being cancelled
The capitals five airports collectively handle far more passengers than any other city, including New York, Paris and Tokyo. But what no-one envies is the constriction at Heathrow
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Tomorrow morning, an estimated 25,000 prospective airline passengers are waking up not where they want to be.
Seventy-five of them were expecting to be in Norway, having flown there on British Airways’ morning departure from Heathrow this morning. At around the time they should have been served their first cup of coffee over the North Sea, they were instead sliding down emergency chutes on one of the world’s busiest runways – and, shortly afterwards, giving thanks for the professionalism of the pilots, cabin crew and air-traffic controllers. A collective obsession with aviation safety has kept the skies safe for passengers on British jets since the 1980s – an extraordinary record, and the envy of the world.
The world is also jealous of the status of London as the global hub of aviation: the capital’s five (or six, depending on whether you count Southend) airports collectively handle far more passengers than any other city, including New York, Paris and Tokyo. But what no-one envies is the constriction at Heathrow.
A full-blown emergency will impact any major airport, but nowhere else would a temporary runway closure lead to the cancellation of 200 flights. As grounded passengers try to salvage something from the wreckage of their travel plans, they may wonder at the strange coincidence of incredibly safe skies and implausibly inadequate infrastructure in a busy corner of north-west Europe.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments