British Airways has finally abandoned plans to use Gatwick as a secondary hub to Heathrow.
Airport capacity is likely to be used up within 10 years. This puts pressure on ministers to take drastic action before airport congestion turns to chaos.
The government has already mapped out scores of potential sites that could house a new large airport. One of them could be Manston, in Kent, which Wiggins bought last year. The inspectors report on Heathrow Terminal 5 is due to arrive on deputy prime minister John Prescotts desk this month.
The Times 07/12/00 page 27, page 31
Financial Times 07/12/00 page 31
The Independent 07/12/00 page 20, page 21 (Outlook)
The Guardian 07/12/00 page 29
