Event professionals have supported the claim from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) that airport expansion is critical to the UK's economic growth.
In a report declaring its position on future aviation capacity, the CBI said that expansion to the UK’s airports is critical to long-term economic growth, adding that the UK is losing out to European rivals on direct flights to emerging markets.
Lucy Collins, head of product development at Principal Global Events, commented: "London is one of the best connected cities in the worl,d however, the cost of those flights can prohibit travellers.
"If prices come down, London would become a more attractive destination for events and it would compensate for the high costs on the ground."
Charlie Hepburn, managing director of Vivid Event Group, said: "We need to push both the UK and London as being a major destination and the best way to do that is to make it as accessible as possible."
He went on to add: "One thing letting London down is the ability to get from the airports to other event destinations in the UK.
"If you make that trip more enjoyable for the business traveller it will put London higher up the list for international visitors."
Head of sales at Black Tomato Agency, David Heron, agreed that expansion is key to incentive travel: "In the incentives arena, destination options without direct links from the UK is a major concern. Increased routes are beneficial to everyone in the events industry."
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