Responding to the announcement from UK airports operator, BAA, that it is to suspend its planning application to build a third runway at Heathrow, Unite, the largest union in aviation, has denounced the move as confusing and damaging for UK business.

Unite has also decried Conservative party efforts to claim the delay as a victory for their transport policy.

Brian Boyd, Unite National Officer for Aviation, said: "The Conservatives have failed to present a feasible alternative to the problems associated with under capacity at Heathrow Airport. The London Mayor's proposals for an island airport on the Thames are, quite frankly, unworkable. The plans have no costing attached to them, nor do they consider the damage constructing this island would do to the environment. David Cameron has floated fast rail links as an alternative and in doing so demonstrated exactly why his arguments that a third runway is not required lack depth.

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"Unite has always supported a fully integrated national transport network, which includes fast rail links and improved infrastructure, but this comes at a price in terms of displacement of people, the environment, and the overall costs. The Tories have been largely silent on all of these issues."

Steve Turner, National Officer for Aviation at Unite, added: "The confusion BAA's decision to delay will hit business confidence that Heathrow can thrive as an international hub. Some airlines are already casting their sights overseas to see where they can move operations in the event that Heathrow's modernisation does not happen. BAA's cold feet on this matter may be a shameless move to dodge penalties should construction stumble at a later date, but if Heathrow is to be dragged into the twenty-first century and function as an airport which can meet its environmental obligations, then agreement that the third runway is the sensible way forward must be reached."

(CD/KMcA)