More flights at Manchester Airport may be better than Heathrow third runway, says Andy Burnham

He stressed at Labour’s annual conference in Liverpool that there was a “strong case” for a bigger Heathrow.

Andy Burnham delivering his speech at Labour’s annual rally

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But he also argued that it might be better to make use of existing capacity at Manchester Airport before permitting the west London airport to expand.

Mr Burnham recently emphasised that key to whether his Government backs a third runway is the view of London.

However, the PM’s stance has faced a backlash from some union chiefs and he appeared to have amended his stance, now stressing that “it's such a decision of importance for the whole country”.

Grilled on a bigger Heathrow on LBC Radio, Mr Burnham said “I’m not saying that I've taken a position. You know, it's important that where there is a consultation, potentially a planning application, I need to handle that carefully.”

Pressed whether he was minded to support a new runway, he added: “Well, I'm on the record as saying that Heathrow could be a good idea. I have said that in the past.”

However, he added: “In my past role as Mayor of Greater Manchester, though, I looked at the second runway at Manchester, and it has capacity.

“So, I think we do need to have a wider discussion about what is the right airport configuration for the country in the long run, and where airports have got capacity, should that be used first before we allow further airport expansion.

“But I am on this one having to say that I am listening to both sides of the argument. There is a strong case for it...”

A plane come into land at Heathrow airport over nearby housing

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The new runway would increase the west London airport’s capacity to 756,000 flights and 150 million passengers a year.

The UK’s Climate Change Committee also stressed that the Government “does not have a credible plan to reduce” aviation emissions, posing a serious challenge to meeting overall global warming targets.

London Mayor Lord Sadiq Khan opposes a third runway

London Assembly

Mr Burnham added: “There's been a consultation, and it's really important, given it's such a decision of importance for the whole country, to take time to see the outcome of the consultation.

“Obviously, Heathrow Airport is a huge economic driver for the country, but there are concerns and those need to be considered.”