Heathrow Airport: Third runway would drive growth
Chancellor John Healey says a third runway at Heathrow Airport drives economic growth, while Prime Minister Andy Burnham remains cautious.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- John Healey states a third runway at Heathrow is always a case for economic growth.
- The project carries an estimated price tag of £33bn and could open by 2039.
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham remains hesitant and views it as a matter for London.
Chancellor John Healey has voiced support for constructing a third runway at Heathrow Airport, stating that expansion has consistently driven job creation and economic growth over past decades. His remarks were delivered during a speech at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) meetings held in Bangkok.
Healey's comments followed more sceptical remarks from Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who told the BBC last month that the decision should remain a matter for London and Londoners. His predecessor Rachel Reeves had previously positioned airport expansion at the core of her argument that Britain remained open for business.
Healey told reporters that the argument for a third runway at Heathrow had always centered on growth. He added that the formal public consultation period, led by the Department for Transport, had concluded. The project has faced decades of debate alongside opposition from local residents, politicians, and climate campaigners.
The expansion of Heathrow Airport remains a contentious political and economic issue in the United Kingdom, balancing job creation and economic stimulation against environmental concerns and community disruption. High-profile statements from ministers highlight the ongoing tensions surrounding major infrastructure approvals.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
The Department for Transport stated it is considering appropriate next steps following the public consultation on its National Policy Statement, which serves as the basis for deciding whether to approve a new runway. Meanwhile, the airport's consortium of owners indicated they require explicit backing from Burnham before the end of the year to proceed.
Heathrow currently serves over 80 million travellers annually across four passenger terminals and two runways. Flight numbers, currently capped at 480,000 per year, could rise to 720,000—averaging nearly 2,000 flights daily—if a third runway is constructed. The project, carrying an estimated price tag of £33bn, would require demolishing hundreds of homes, diverting rivers, and rerouting the M25 motorway through a tunnel between junctions 14 and 15.
The new runway was originally scheduled to open by 2035, pending plan submissions and approvals, but Heathrow has since indicated the timeline would face a four-year delay to 2039 due to planning and regulatory challenges.
Source: BBC Business
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