Heathrow expansion faces week of scrutiny as Holland Kaye and Grayling face MPs
Heathrow’s expansion plans are facing a crucial week of scrutiny as John Holland-Kaye, the airport’s boss, and Chris Grayling, the Transport Secretary, appear before a key committee of MPs.
It comes as Willie Walsh, the chief executive of IAG which owns British Airways, called on the Civil Aviation Authority to break up Heathrow's "monopoly" of infrastructure.
Mr Walsh said that other companies should be allowed to set up terminals at the airport in order to increase competition and lower costs for consumers.
The transport select committee is set to grill the airport boss on Monday with a key focus likely to be on the airport’s claims about pollution levels once the expansion is complete.
Some members of the committee are also concerned about public transport access, given a major discrepancy in cost predictions.
Luke Pollard MP, a committee member, said the Airports Commission had suggested £5bn would be needed to upgrade surface access to the airport while TfL has suggested it would be nearer £15bn.
He said: “Western rail access to Heathrow is universally supported but is unfunded so I will be keen to know where the money will come from to pay for this scheme.”
Mr Grayling will appear in front of the committee on Wednesday.
