It seems chaos at London’s Heathrow Airport has no end. The airport has already been the focus of a storm of complaints about overcrowding, lost bags and now its expansion has raised many questions. As British officials struggle to attract visitors and improve efficiency at Heathrow Airport, residents and environmentalists have set up a camp in protest to the expansion of the airport on the grounds that expansion would mean more flights which would lead to more CO2 emissions that will add to global warming.
Activists have pitched tents in a field outside the airport to protest the proposed addition of a runway at the airport and demand a reduction in carbon emissions released by aircraft.
Besides a third runway, there are plans to open a new terminal at Heathrow airport by March, 2008. Handling about 40 percent of passengers now flowing through other terminals, the fifth terminal will help improving the airport operations.
The third runway is proposed for 2020 and will be the subject of meetings in the fall between British Airport Authorities and the government. Only time will show if the Heathrow protest can do the trick and force stonehearted leaders backed by corporate world to think over the issue and sort out the problem. I personally think that Heathrow protestors deserve praise for their monumental service which is highlighting C02 emissions and drawing attention to global warming.
Source: USA Today
