Heathrow third runway needed for growth, says Healey as prime minister stays silent

Chancellor John Healey has stated that building a third runway at Heathrow Airport supports economic growth and job creation. Speaking from International Monetary Fund meetings in Bangkok, Healey noted that airport expansion has driven growth in recent decades. His predecessor Rachel Reeves had previously made Heathrow expansion central to proving Britain is open for business. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has avoided backing the expansion, telling the BBC that the project is a matter for London and local residents. Burnham added that he wants to hear local voices first after a public consultation.

Project Plans

Heathrow chief executive Thomas Woldbye warned that failing to build a third runway at the busy airport would be a major missed opportunity. Woldbye stated that the benefits would reach across the entire UK supply chain from north to south. The airport currently serves more than 80 million travellers each year across four terminals and two runways. Flight numbers could increase from 480,000 to 720,000 annually if the new runway is constructed. The £33 billion project requires demolishing homes, diverting rivers, and rerouting the M25 motorway through a tunnel. The opening date has been pushed back from 2035 to 2039 due to planning and regulatory challenges.

Context

Heathrow Airport handles a large share of the United Kingdom's international air traffic and plays a major role in the national economy. Major infrastructure projects like airport expansions often spark long-running debates between economic goals and local environmental concerns. Owners have requested clear government backing by the end of the year to move forward.