I am not sure where Eastleigh MP Paul Holmes (news, 30 May) and UNITE get their information that the airport contributes "£161 million per year for the city, Eastleigh and the surrounding area".
The airport's own economic assessment (as per its planning application for the runway extension) says that this figure is the contribution to the whole UK economy.
While most of the jobs onsite are held by local people, only around 30% of the airport's non-wage spend is in our region so a significant amount of this £161m is NOT spent locally.
That means benefit somewhere else in the UK.
- See more readers' letters here
Meanwhile most of the downsides (noise, pollution) happen in Southampton and Eastleigh.
As has been pointed out by Eastleigh Borough Council's officers, if the airport gets its runway extension and its expansion plans it will be the second noisiest airport in the country (in terms of numbers affected under the flight path) despite being a fraction of the size of airports like Gatwick.
Angela Cotton
Through Website
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel