Heathrow Airport Expansion Edges Closer As Industry Welcomes Progress

The long-awaited green light for London Heathrow’s third runway has taken another step closer to take off after the government selected the winning bid in what has been described by the logistics sector as a positive step towards long-term growth.

Image: Heathrow Airport

The Transport Secretary this week confirmed that Heathrow Airport Limited’s (HAL’s) proposal will be used as the scheme to progress the expansion of Heathrow, which is designed to support trade, tourism and jobs. 

The review will allow a planning decision by 2029 and London airspace to be redrawn to enable quicker, quieter, and greener flights to take off from a new runway by 2035, according to the Department for Transport (DoT). 

Steve Parker, BIFA director general said the decision marks the first step in the latest leg of what has been “a very lengthy journey” over several decades that now needs regulatory and planning approvals for the project to progress.

“The government now needs to do everything in its power to abide by its objective to deliver an operational third runway by 2035,” Parker urged, explaining that that will require swift decisions on applications for planning consent, hopefully before the end of this Parliament. 

“It is now time for everyone, including politicians of all parties, to pull together in the national interest and support the bold plans to expand and improve airport infrastructure at Heathrow in order to maintain the UK’s position as Europe’s most important aviation hub,” Parker stated. 

Considering Heathrow Airport is the UK’s biggest port, handling 1.58 million tonnes of cargo in 2024, the announcement of the winning third runway bid is set to provide growth opportunities for the UK economy in the long term.

While welcoming the step forward, Logistics UK’s Head of Infrastructure Policy, Jonathan Walker, said other hurdles must now be cleared, including CAA approvals and planning reforms. 

“It is vital that this project is seen by government as an integral part of the ongoing development of an effective UK-wide logistics network, which will support and develop the effective supply chains that our economy needs,” Walker explained.

Next Steps

Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL)’s proposal will shape the review of the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS). This is the framework within which the planning decision on expansion at the airport will be made, and any amendments to the ANPS will be subject to consultation next summer. 

The government expects that an application for development consent for a Northwest Runway at Heathrow Airport will be brought forward by the promoter of the scheme, HAL, after the review of the Airports National Policy Statement. 

DoT said Heathrow’s new runway will be a boost for connectivity, attract international investment, boost Britain’s connectivity, and support economic growth the Plan for Change. 

Read more about the next steps here. 

View Heathrow’s expansion plans here.