Heathrow operator and airline head push for 3rd runway

By John Bowker

LONDON (Reuters) - London's Heathrow airport would use extra capacity from a third runway to improve punctuality before increasing the number of flights, business leaders campaigning for expansion of the airport said on Monday.

Colin Matthews, chief executive of Heathrow operator BAA, promised a smoother operation of the world's busiest international airport if the runway was approved, as well as a boost to the economy and a limited environmental impact.

The British government has said it will announce a decision on the controversial 9 billion pound expansion of Heathrow before the end of the month. It may do so this week.

Recent media reports have said the government is likely to back the plan, defying environmental groups and some Labour MPs angry at the demolition of some 700 properties, noise pollution over a larger area of west London and the broader issue of aviation's contribution to global warming.

"The first tranche of new capacity should be to improve Heathrow's reliability," Matthews told reporters, adding that no new flights would be added until punctuality had reached an as-yet-unspecified level.

British Airways Chief Executive Willie Walsh said an expansion of Heathrow was vital for future economic growth.

"There has (in the past) been a close correlation between GDP growth and air traffic growth ... everyone hopes for an upturn at some stage and it will be at least 10 years before there is a new runway at Heathrow," he said.

Environmental campaigners were not mollified. About 400 protesters held a peaceful demonstration at Heathrow on Monday, playing music, dancing and holding a picnic.