Heathrow Bosses Caught With Pants on Fire
Heathrow’s potential third runway is in the spotlight again – for all the wrong reasons!
When the rival airport Gatwick announced that they were offering financial incentives in the bid for a second runway, Heathrow officials were quick to point out that they did not have the same system.
As it turns out, they were lying.
During 2015, a new bonus scheme was launched, which relies on hitting profit targets and customer satisfaction scores. This means that the chief executive John Holland-Kaye – who already earned more than double his basic salary of £885,000 last year – could earn even more on top. The real kick in the teeth is that the airport cut 300 jobs last year, citing issues with paying wages.
If Heathrow gets its third runway, it will be raising its landing charges to fund the expansion. The airport has also agreed to all of the government’s terms, including a ban on night-flights and a ruling out of any potential fourth runway.
The main problems blocking the expansion right now are those of air quality – particularly in west London, where research is being done – and disruption to locals.
Why is this a problem?
Well, mostly because the executives have lied about it. Holland-Kaye dodged the question in The Guardian earlier this year (after the bonus had been agreed), and it’s still unclear exactly how much it would be worth.
Bonuses for expanding businesses aren’t uncommon – however, initialising hidden bonuses for lobbying the government into making significant developments for the country is a little suspect. We should at least know how much they stand to gain from influencing politics.