New research has claimed that the expansion of Heathrow Airport will create up to 6,900 new manufacturing jobs in Scotland.
The sector will benefit from up to 42% of the total 16,100 new Scottish jobs fuelled by the opening of a third runway at one of the world’s busiest airports.
Heathrow is calling on the UK Government to make a decision for all of Britain by giving the green light to the airport’s expansion.
The airport is a global freight hub and gateway for Britain’s manufacturing exporters, and its expansion has been estimated to add almost 95,000 new manufacturing jobs across the UK.
The research, undertaken by consultancy Quod, shows that 85% of the new manufacturing jobs created will be generated outside London and the south east.
The manufacturing sector would be one of the greatest beneficiaries, accounting for more than 50% of the 179,800 total predicted by the Airports Commission.
As a trade-intensive industry, the sector is expected to benefit significantly from new and improved trade links, as well as from the ripple effect of Heathrow’s growth across other sectors.
Manufacturing is also a key part of the aviation supply chain, and is likely to benefit directly as the sector increases purchasing.
It would be a significant boost for the industry, which is responsible for over half of all British exports.
Last week, figures released by the Office for National Statistics revealed that UK manufacturing output remains 5.5% below its 2008 pre-recession level.
John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow’s chief executive, said: “Airlines operating from the UK’s hub are forced to make a false choice between developing new routes to cities like Chengdu and Mexico City and maintaining domestic services.
“Exporters up and down the country are locked out of Heathrow, Britain’s biggest port by value. Every day we delay is a day we’re restricting the growth of British business.”
He said the Government should heed the unambiguous recommendation of the Airports Commission and expand Heathrow for the whole of the UK.