BA Worldcargo Heathrow

UK freight forwarders fear last week’s vote for the UK's exit from the European Union will lead to further delays to a US$25bn project to expand capacity at Heathrow airport, the country’s largest air cargo hub, reports the Journal of Commerce (JoC.com).

The UK government was expected decide early next month whether or not to back a new runway at Heathrow or London Gatwick, but the timetable has been thrown into doubt following the political turmoil that followed the unexpected outcome of the UK EU referendum, JoC said.

Freight forwarders and logistics firms fear the vote and the ultimate resignation of David Cameron as prime minister “will lead to further procrastination over the expansion of UK aviation capacity”, the British International Freight Association said.

“With last week’s development, we are now entering a period of great uncertainty on the political front, and BIFA members are worried that will result in big decisions being postponed or abandoned completely,” BIFA director general Robert Keen told JoC.