Runway row intensifies as Gatwick claims ‘triple-counting’ of international passenger numbers at Heathrow

Nick Dunn says a second runway at Gatwick would result in ‘the same traffic for the UK at a much lower cost’

Sir Howard Davies’ Airports Commission unanimously recommended a third runway be built at Heathrow (AP)

Gatwick Airport has slammed the conclusions of the Davies Commission on airport expansion as “flawed”.

Nick Dunn, chief financial officer for the Sussex airport, said that Freedom of Information requests had cast doubt on the assumptions and methods used in the final report.

Sir Howard Davies’ Airports Commission unanimously recommended a third runway be built at Heathrow, to the north-west of the existing airfield. The report concluded that it would produce much greater economic benefits than a second runway at Gatwick.

Mr Dunn told an audience at the Westminster Energy, Environment & Transport Forum that Sir Howard Davies’ commission had ignored key evidence. He said that it showed that a second runway at Gatwick would produce almost identical outcomes in business travel, tourism and overall passenger numbers: “You get the same traffic for the UK at a much lower cost.”

Gatwick made a Freedom of Information request for the data used by the Davies Commission. The airport now accuses the commission of “triple counting” some international journeys via Heathrow, skewing the predicted economic benefits.

Mr Dunn told The Independent: “Those flaws are very evident and I am sure will be taken into account by the government. If it chooses not to listen, I imagine there will be plenty of people in London who will be interested in that.”

But John Holland-Kaye, chief executive of Heathrow, said: “The Airports Commission couldn’t have been clearer – get on with expanding Heathrow.

“Leaving the EU means that it’s more essential than ever that we create trading links to the growing markets of the world – and that we control our own trade routes. Only Heathrow expansion can do this. And it’s an urgent task, if we are to have a strong and fair post-Brexit economy.

“If we’re taking back control, let’s take back control of the UK’s supply routes.”

Mr Holland-Kaye made a veiled criticism of the Cameron government’s indecision, saying: “We now have a prime minister who has remained open minded on how to deliver more airport capacity, and makes decisions based on the facts.”

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “The case for aviation expansion is clear – but it’s vitally important we get the decision right so that it will benefit generations to come. As well as progressing the package of further work announced previously, the government will continue to consider the Commission’s evidence before reaching a view on its preferred scheme.”

Services at Gatwick have recovered after a maintenance check discovered a hole on the main runway for the second time this summer. Eleven flights were diverted on Sunday night, and many others were delayed – including the jet from Inverness carrying the conference chairman, Drew Hendry MP.