ATC is already a nightmare in London, what would it be like with an extra runway at BOTH airports?!?
In what sense is ATC a "nightmare"? Holding is actually down as algorithms get smarter (when they work
)
They're clever people tasked with traffic complex management, HAL haven't taken the proposal this far without discussing the impact with NATS. A number of models have already been built and run.
If true, it supports those who question the need for a single UK hub in the south-east of England
It's not a
need for a single hub, it's a consequence of London being an enormous P2P market coupled with empire routes connecting East and West with BOAC/BEA coming together creating not only a dominant long haul carrier but a market snobbery that looks down at LGW and STN for certain markets.
UK regional has been open to the world for years, however even optimistic upper end expansion at MAN/BHX/GLA/EDI/NCL isn't lilkely to generate the volume of inbound trade a third LHR runway offers.