Heathrow Airport has announced plans to build a third runway at a cost of £21bn in the next decade. The airport, Europe’s busiest travel hub, has submitted its proposal to the government, sparking concerns from opponents regarding carbon emissions, noise pollution, and environmental impacts. The proposed runway would be 3,500m long, but Heathrow is willing to consider a shorter alternative.
In January, Chancellor Rachel Reeves declared government support for the expansion, citing the need to enhance connectivity and stimulate growth opportunities. However, London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan remains opposed to the new runway due to the expected negative impact on residents of the capital. Heathrow’s proposal involves constructing the runway to the northwest of its current location, allowing for an additional 276,000 flights annually.
Furthermore, the airport aims to increase its terminal capacity to accommodate 150 million passengers per year, up from the current 84 million. This expansion plan includes the construction of new terminal complexes named T5XW and T5XN, as well as the extension of Terminal 2 and the demolition of Terminal 3 and the old Terminal 1. The project, estimated to cost around £49bn, will be privately funded, though concerns have been raised about potential increases in passenger charges to cover the costs.
EasyJet’s CEO Kenton Jarvis sees the expansion as an opportunity for the airline to operate on a larger scale from Heathrow, potentially leading to lower fares for consumers. Amidst these developments, hotel tycoon Surinder Arora has put forward an alternative expansion plan for Heathrow, proposing a shorter runway to avoid the need to divert the M25 motorway.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander will review all proposals over the summer to initiate a revision of the Airports National Policy Statement later this year. Additionally, a Heathrow Airport-funded group called Back Heathrow has been distributing leaflets in support of the third runway to homes in west London, promoting the idea of a «greener» airport with only the cleanest and quietest aircraft flying in.
Opponents of the airport’s expansion have criticized the information provided by Back Heathrow as misleading. The group, however, maintains that it has been transparent about its support from the airport, although this funding is not disclosed on its newsletters or website. As the debate over Heathrow’s expansion continues, the future of the airport remains a subject of contention among various stakeholders.
SOURCE