Smaller southern airports primed to spread wings

摘要

A public inquiry into Lydd London Ashford airport's (right) plans to expand will conclude in September. A final decision is expected from secretary of state Eric Pickles six months later. The airport's owner, Sheikh Fahad al Athel of Saudi Arabia, wants to expand the runway and construct a £25m, 81,860 sq ft terminal building to accommodate 500,000 passengers a year. Development would take around three years if planning permission were granted.