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Boris Johnson's plans for new airport rejected

London Mayor Boris Johnson has accused the Airports Commission of setting the debate on aviation expansion back by half a century, ahead of an announcement this morning that his plan for a new airport in east London has been rejected.

The thumbs down for the plan, which could have seen a four-runway brand new airport dubbed Boris Island Thames Estuary built to the east of London, is due to come from the Whitehall-appointed Airports Commission.

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Airport Commission turns down 'Boris Island'

Boris Johnson's big idea for expanding airport capacity in the south, without expanding Heathrow has been sunk.

His 'island airport' in the Thames Estuary, was firmly rejected today by the Airports Commission as 'too expensive'.

The London Mayor insists he will not give up on the plan. Its rejection, he said, was 'short-sighted'.

ITV News Political Correspondent Libby Wiener reports:

More: Economic costs of airport estuary proposal 'too great'

Economic costs of airport estuary proposal 'too great'

Building an airport in the Thames estuary is not the answer to the UK's airport capacity problems, the Airports Commission said.

After rejecting the proposal, backed by Mayor of London Boris Johnson, Airports Commission Chair Sir Howard Davies said the economic and environmental costs of the plan was too great.

We are not persuaded that a very large airport in the Thames estuary is the right answer to London’s and the UK’s connectivity needs.

There are serious doubts about the delivery and operation of a very large hub airport in the estuary.

The economic disruption would be huge and there are environmental hurdles which it may prove impossible, or very time-consuming to surmount.

Even the least ambitious version of the scheme would cost £70 to £90 billion with much greater public expenditure involved than in other options – probably some £30 to £60 billion in total.

– Sir Howard Davies

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'Boris Island' airport plan rejected

A plan to build an airport in the Thames estuary has been rejected.

Boris Johnson's plan for a new airport on the Thames estuary has been rejected. Credit: PA Wire

The proposal - dubbed "Boris Island" because of Boris Johnson's support - was on a shortlist of options for increasing airport capacity in UK.

The Airport Commission said the proposal's "substantial disadvantages" outweigh its potential benefits.

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