BUSINESS groups have warned that the failure to expand Heathrow would see the UK "fall behind the rest of the world" as its new runway's future was again plunged into doubt over the weekend.

Last week it emerged that Spanish infrastructure giant Ferrovial was considering selling its 25 per cent stake in the airport if it could not get "adequate returns" for investors.

A spokesperson for Heathrow airport called on the Civil Aviation Authority to put in place a "fair settlement for investors" to guarantee the £14bn investment the project needs.

"Britain can be a magnet for foreign investment, but not if regulators dither when it comes to key projects," they added.

Mike Cherry, chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: "Small businesses don't want to see further delay to the plans for airport expansion. We must not continue to fall behind the rest of the world."

(c) 2020 City A.M., source Newspaper