Emirates' chief has cautioned that London Heathrow Airport could be subject to a legal challenge from its airlines if they are compelled to finance a third runway.
In a discussion with the Financial Times, industry stalwart Sir Tim Clark warned of potential increases in landing charges to fund the expansion, as reported by .
"This could end up in legal challenges if you are not careful . . . we have to find an elegant means which satisfies all stakeholders," he stated.
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Clark, who has been at the helm of Emirates since 2003, is a strong advocate for a third runway at Heathrow.
He expressed to the Financial Times the "crying need" to boost capacity due to "quite extraordinary" demand levels. Heathrow has seen a post-pandemic surge in passenger numbers, welcoming a record 83.9m through its gates last year.
However, since Chancellor Rachel Reeves approved the third strip in January, questions have arisen regarding how it will fund the expansion.
"Say the cost is £20bn, and they are using a model that places on the incumbent airline community the costs of dong that . . . that's going to be a pretty horrendous sell job [to airlines]," Clark commented.
"Some might not be in existence by the time it is finished."
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Earlier this month, airlines and hoteliers utilising the Hounslow hub jointly called on the aviation regulator for "urgent and fundamental" reform of its regulatory model.
The Heathrow Reimagined campaign, initially made up of companies such as Virgin Atlantic and British Airways' parent company IAG, argues that Heathrow's monopolistic structure has resulted in the interests of consumers and carriers being overlooked.
The group claims that airlines are now required to pay £1.1bn more annually in landing fees than at competing European airports, even as passenger experience deteriorates.
In recent weeks, the campaign has gained substantial support, including from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). American Airlines became the first major airline outside the 海角视频 to join the campaign on Monday.
A spokesperson for Heathrow Reimagined stated: "Despite recent announcements made declaring a "privately-funded" expansion programme, we are clear that it will be the passengers who foot the bill through higher passenger charges."
Heathrow has been approached for comment.