Clasper's home is in the Hertfordshire commuter belt, midway between Heathrow and Luton airports and a fairway from the flightpath of any commercial jets.
Clasper says BAA told locals a runway would be "politically and environmentally difficult" - which, he admits, is still the case.
Clasper was never much of an aviation anorak, although he does know his way around airports, from his time as worldwide boss of P&G's homecare products.