Heathrow launches £49bn expansion to add third runway

Heathrow Airport Announces £49‑billion Expansion Plan

On Friday Heathrow revealed a £49‑billion ($65‑billion) strategy to upgrade the busiest airport in Europe, including the construction of a long‑awaited third runway. The project, approved by the UK government after years of legal challenges, would cost £21‑billion for the runway and the remaining investment would be directed toward modernising the facility.

Scope of the Expansion

• The new runway would allow the airport to add at least 30 new daily routes and increase domestic connections.
• Capacity would grow from the current 84 million passengers annually to up to 150 million within a decade.
• Heathrow’s chief executive, Thomas Woldbye, emphasized the urgent need to expand the terminal to restore trade and connectivity that the airport is currently operating at full capacity.

Political and Environmental Debate

Despite strong opposition from environmentalists, local residents, the London mayor Sadiq Khan and some Labour MPs, the Labour government backed the new runway in January to boost UK economic growth. The proposal proposes £12 billion for a new terminal and £15 billion for modernising existing infrastructure.

Government Support and Rival Bids

The UK prime minister Keir Starmer is committed to delivering major infrastructure projects that revive the UK economy, having recently approved upgrades at multiple London airports. Britain’s Supreme Court ruled in 2020 that Heathrow could build the third runway, overturning an earlier decision that blocked construction on environmental grounds.

Local residents expressed concerns that the expansion would postpone their lives for several years while additional funds and time were wasted on a “doomed scheme.” Policy director for Greenpeace UK Douglas Parr highlighted the plans would “export more tourism wealth out of the UK in the most polluting way possible.”

Competing Proposal

Arora Group, one of Heathrow’s largest landowners, announced a rival bid to build a shorter third runway. The company promised lower costs and less disruption to local residents and the environment, stating, “This is the first time the government has invited a competing proposal for Heathrow expansion.”

Future Investments

Heathrow’s latest investment proposal is bolstered by plans to invest £10 billion over the next five years in upgrades that would boost passenger numbers, largely funded by higher charges on airlines.