Following the publication of Sir Howard Davies' appraisals and consultation document this morning (11 November 2014), the Gatwick Coordination Group, which is chaired by Crispin Blunt MP, made the following statement:

"The Gatwick Coordination Group (GCG) welcomes the launch of Sir Howard Davies' Airports Commission consultation, and the publication of the bid appraisals, as an opportunity for this debate to be properly had.

The Gatwick Coordination Group was formed in June 2014 to challenge the application for a second runway at Gatwick Airport within the context of the Airports Commission. There is no existing labour force to sustain GAL's second runway proposal, and to create it would cause a developmental disaster in the region. GAL's proposal does not address the wider capital infrastructure requirements outside of the immediate perimeter of the airport, and a hub at Gatwick is plainly the wrong answer to the much broader question of UK airport capacity.

The GCG will now finely examine Sir Howard's appraisal and consultation document before formally submitting its response to the Airports Commission."