Lets be honest here...... Anybody that believes their governments, like any business owner, will not try to increase their "business" in the future and generate increased cash flow is an idiot that lives in a fantasy world. What business is any government in??? COLLECTING TAXES.
Any airport the size of Heathrow is a huge cash cow for their local and country leaders. Not just from taxes on operations, but from income taxes on the jobs created by the airport itself.
The officials are not fools. They realize that people will always find something to complain about, it is in their nature. Imagine the demonstrations if their were rampant unemployement and the government, because they do not make much money after somebody shut down every facility they had to generate cash flow, had no funds to feed and house the unfortunate. They would be hanging from the walls at the palace. When people feel left out by the government and deceived they must realize.......time changes things. Decisions made in the past were made using the best information in hand at the time. When that changes the path must change. Faced with putting up with a few complainers of something like aircraft or train noise, they choose the tough answer and meet the needs of the majority.
Hate the game, don't hate the player.
