Third runway at Heathrow Airport would drive growth, Healey says

Chancellor John Healey has emphasized that constructing a third runway at Heathrow Airport is primarily aimed at driving growth and job creation. During the International Monetary Fund (IMF) meetings in Bangkok, Healey stated that airport expansion, including at Heathrow, has been a significant contributor to job growth and economic development in recent years.

Rachel Reeves, who served as the previous chancellor, had also championed the expansion of Heathrow as a cornerstone of the argument that Britain is open for business.

However, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has expressed skepticism about the need for additional expansion, indicating that the decision is a matter for London and its residents. This follows a warning from Heathrow's chief executive, Thomas Woldbye, who stated that not building a third runway would be a significant missed opportunity. The debate surrounding a third runway at Heathrow has been ongoing for decades, with opposition from local residents, politicians, and climate campaigners.

In 2021, Reeves announced the government-backed expansion, asserting that a third runway is essential, and the government cannot delay making a decision. Burnham, when questioned about the project, suggested that the decision should be left to Londoners' voice, rather than being decided by the Prime Minister. The Department for Transport is currently reviewing the public consultation on its National Policy Statement, which outlines the basis for deciding whether to grant a new runway at Heathrow.

Healey mentioned that the government is considering the appropriate next steps following the closure of the consultation. Heathrow's ownership consortium has stated that they need explicit backing from Burnham by the end of the year to proceed with the project. The chief executive also emphasized that a third runway would benefit the entire country, as the airport's supply chain reaches across the UK, from the north to the south.

The airport serves over 80 million travelers annually, with four passenger terminals and two runways. With a third runway, the number of flights could increase from the current cap of 480,000 a year to 720,000 annually, or approximately 2,000 flights per day on average. The project is estimated to cost £33 billion, requiring the demolition of hundreds of homes, rerouting the M25 motorway through a tunnel, and diverting rivers.

The new runway was initially scheduled for completion by 2035, but Heathrow has since suggested a delay to 2039 due to planning and regulatory challenges.