Cash is flying out of region
05.08.05
According to environmental campaigners expansion at Coventry and Birmingham airport is not good for the West Midlands' economy. The sharp rise in cheap flights may be good for the holiday-maker, but this does mean travellers are spending more disposable cash abroad rather than at home.
Friends of the Earth (FoE) have today produced research using data from the Office of National Statistics. According to estimates the region is losing more than four times more revenue than it gains from aviation. This contradicts the claim that airport expansion is good for the economy.
UK air travellers using the region's airports are spending £1.7 billion abroad per year more than foreign visitors flying in. The report maintains the situation could get a lot worse if Birmingham and Coventry airports expand to cater for further growth in passenger numbers.
The report suggests that the number of trips abroad by West Midlands residents would increase far more than the number of visitors to the region. Popular tourist destinations, such as Shropshire and Warwick are particularly likely to suffer.
Chris Crean, FoE, West Midlands campaigner said, 'We know airport expansion is bad for the environment. These figures show it is bad for the West Midlands economy, too. Chris Crean proposed that the expansion would lead to an annual deficit to the region of £3.3 billion by 2020.
FoE research believe that local businesses are missing out on millions of pounds every year and airport expansion will make this worse. The airport expansion will encourage travellers to take more and more short trips abroad.
'The decision makers must consider regional business interests and oppose airport expansion in the region.' said Chris Crean.
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