Former Gatwick chief says the West places too much emphasis on environmental concerns.

Heathrow’s inability to expand means it has lost its status as a global transport hub, the boss of Dubai Airports has said. The Telegraph has the story.

Paul Griffiths, formerly managing director of Gatwick Airport before he moved to the Middle East, said Heathrow is suffering from a shortage of capacity amid an ongoing debate over a prospective third runway.

He said too much weight is given to the environmental impact of travel in the West, which has allowed rival airports abroad to gain momentum.

Mr Griffiths said: “The true competition between airlines and airports is in the transfer market. 

“And unfortunately, because of the shortage in capacity, Heathrow has lost its status as a transfer hub.

“I think the problem in the West is that the development of airports is an incredibly political thing. Heathrow’s third runway has been in play for 50 years and we’re no further forward.

“The environmental impact is a very topical subject in the developed world and I think that’s an issue because I don’t think there’s a balanced debate.”

Mr Griffiths, who sits on Dubai Airport’s board alongside Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, added: “It’s quite a sorry sight that the thing that could really put a shot in the arm of the British economy is being stifled because there is not enough capacity.”

His comments come amid a period of significant change at Heathrow, which Thomas Woldbye is now running as chief executive.

The Dane, who replaced John Holland-Kaye last year, has so far refused to commit fully to a third runway amid opposition from climate activists and local communities.

He has also taken the reins at Heathrow as 60pc of the airport is up for sale, a process that was triggered by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund acquiring a stake late last year.

An injection of cash from new owners has raised hopes of an overhaul at Heathrow, although Mr Griffiths said he no longer views Britain’s busiest airport as among the world’s most competitive.

“The players are shifting,” he said. “Our biggest player is not Heathrow or Gatwick. It is what’s happening in Qatar or Istanbul. They are determined to capture market share from us.”

Read the full story here.