Heathrow’s £21bn third runway plan revealed – and could be ready by 2039
What you need to know about Heathrow Airport’s £21bn expansion plans
- Heathrow Airport has submitted plans for a third runway, with the runway and airfield estimated to cost £21 billion, and the overall project £49 billion.
- The proposed expansion aims to significantly increase annual flight capacity to 756,000 and passenger numbers to 150 million, necessitating a new 3,500-metre runway and the tunnelling of the M25 motorway.
- Heathrow anticipates securing planning consent by 2029, with the new runway becoming operational within a decade of approval.
- Proponents, including Chancellor Rachel Reeves and easyJet, argue the expansion will boost investment, trade, create jobs, and potentially lead to lower airfares.
- The Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, and environmental organisations like Friends of the Earth oppose the plans, citing concerns over noise, air pollution, and the UK's climate change commitments.