The International Air Transport Association (Iata) has released the following statement regarding proposals for the future development of London-Heathrow Airport by Heathrow Airport Limited (Hal) and the Arora Group.

There are clear economic arguments highlighting the benefits of expanding airport capacity in the southeast of the UK. This includes the country's only global hub, Heathrow Airport. We applaud the government's decision to support the UK's global aspirations by promoting Heathrow's expansion plans. However, this must not happen at any cost, nor should it be assumed that the current operator is best placed to deliver the value the UK economy will desperately need to grow.

The statement continues: "Hal's performance should be a cause for concern and warrant close scrutiny. The airport consistently fails to meet agreed service standards. The airport's closure in March was a global embarrassment, leaving little room for confidence in the airport's management. Hal's complacency in being the world's second most expensive airport demonstrates that the airport cares little about its customers, be they airlines or travelers. And Hal's self-congratulatory claim that its proposal is somehow superior from the outset because it might have a head start in the planning process deliberately ignores the true priorities of the UK, airlines, and travelers".

Iata, which has not been easy on the issue thus far, adds: "The billions of pounds already invested in Heathrow have yielded disappointing results, disappointing both passengers and airlines. It is therefore doubly important that the billions that will be invested in any expansion are spent much more effectively. This means focusing on efficiency across all aspects: costs, operations, and the customer experience. Airlines look forward to examining both proposals in detail to assess their merits, particularly the costs and benefits to consumers. The government's decision on the path forward must be weighed by airlines, who will ultimately be liable for the use of whatever is built".

"Without prejudice, Arora's proposal brings a fresh and welcome perspective from a company with a proven track record and familiarity with Heathrow. This decision is too important to be left solely to Hal's view," added Willie Walsh, Iata's director general.

Aviation is a key industry for the UK, contributing $160 billion (4.8% of GDP) to the economy and employing around 1.6 million people.