UK. Government ministers have approved plans for a third runway at London Heathrow Airport. A parliamentary vote to confirm the move, which has been subject to years of delay, is likely to take place within weeks. The new runway will pave the way for a major expansion of Heathrow.
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: “This decision has been taken based on the national interest and detailed evidence.” He added that the expansion would only proceed if air quality obligations were met. He added that it could take “a number of years” and possibly until 2026, to complete a new runway.
A government sub-committee, chaired by Prime Minister Theresa May, backed the plans today. These were then approved by her ministers.
Heathrow Airport reacted positively to the decision, claiming that expansion has strong cross-party support in Parliament.
The airport company is writing to all MPs today to tell them how their votes would “green light” the airport’s privately-funded expansion plans. The project, it said, “is set to boost Britain’s economy by billions, open up to 40 new long-haul trading routes for Britain’s exporters, create tens of thousands of new skilled jobs across the country and lower airfares for passengers – all at zero cost to the taxpayer”.
Heathrow CEO John Holland Kaye said: “Together with our supporters across the country, we urge all MPs to vote for expansion. Their votes will connect all of Britain to global trade, increase competition and choice for passengers and create tens of thousands of new skilled jobs for future generations. The world is waiting for Britain. It’s time to vote for Heathrow expansion.”
Background
In July 2015 the UK Airports Commission recommended that Heathrow Airport be awarded a third runway, instead of Gatwick Airport gaining a second – but the latter has continued to argue its case ever since.
The independent commission, led by Sir Howard Davies, began studying the best means of ensuring the UK, and London in particular, could secure its future in the aviation world in 2012. Now it appears that a decision will finally be made on how to expand airport infrastructure in the UK’s south-east.