Also our self harm Brexit vote means that at least in theory we need more runway capacity to allow more destinations to be served on Long haul . Long haul flying needs hub type operations because witha few exceptions a fair proportion of passengers are going to transit the primary destination-thats just the way airlines work. So to meet that demand you need to expand at LHR because Gatwick is and never will be a hub , it is however ideal for the Easy Jets of the world
Remind me, how big an operation Easy want to open at LHR?
How much of the extra capacity will go on transporting our hard working businessmen to devdelop new markets and how much will go on transporting Londoners to the Costa and second homes? Nothing wrong with that, if they're prepared to pay for it just don't expect the rest of us to pay for it because its for the "national good"