Abandoning third runway would be bad for UK, Istanbul airport boss warns

The UK risks missing out on a positive cycle in the economy if it fails to approve Heathrow s third runway, the boss of Istanbul airport has said, adding that a phased approach to development could help keep a lid on the mega-project s eye-watering costs. Selahattin Bilgen, chief executive of Turkey s iGA Istanbul Airport, told City AM he would be really welcoming of Heathrow s long-awaited expansion, adding that his own airport s development had been a boon for the local economy. Heathrow has been a magnificent airport one of the best ( ) in the world providing good connectivity for Europe, he said. I personally feel as an ambassador for the industry ( ) that better air connectivity is always better, not just for the home country but the whole region. Bilgen, whose airport recently leapfrogged the west London hub to become busiest in Europe, added that he could not put himself in the shoes of the transport minister but that as the chief executive of Istanbul A