Lord Adonis, centre, will address WTM on Tuesday November 6th

World Travel Market, the leading global event for the travel industry, will host controversial former UK transport minister Lord Andrew Adonis on Tuesday November 6th.

Lord Adonis will discuss the urgent transport challenges facing the UK, in particular the contentious issue of runway capacity in the south-east of England. 

He is a supporter of expanding Heathrow Airport having tried to push through a third runway for the airport while transport secretary in the previous UK government in 2009/10.

He will discuss the other proposals including a Thames Estuary airport dubbed ‘Boris Island’ as it is favoured by London major Boris Johnson.

Lord Adonis has also been critical of the current government’s handling of the High Speed Railway project between London and Birmingham claiming “dithering” may mean it is not operational by the targeted 2026.

Reed Travel Exhibitions director World Travel Market, Simon Press, said: “I am delighted to be able to announce Lord Adonis as a speaker at WTM 2012.

“WTM 2012 has an impressive line-up of senior speakers, which will help to complement the high level business being conducted on the exhibition floor.

“Lord Adonis has spent a number of years in government and will be able to give WTM delegates the inside track on the processes and inner workings of parliament.

“He will also share his thoughts and opinion on a number of key issues for WTM participants that he has previously been heavily involved in, including plans to expand airport capacity in the south-east of England and the High Speed rail link.”

Lord Adonis will be interviewed by ITT chairman Dr Steven Freudmann as part of the session Face-to-Face with Lord Adonis which takes place in Platinum Suites 3-4 at 14:00.