UK: Heathrow Airport said on Monday that its proposed third runway has secured backing from trade unions, airlines, regional airports and investors as Parliament examines plans to expand the country’s busiest airport.
Heathrow Chief Executive Thomas Woldbye is scheduled to appear before Parliament’s Transport Select Committee on October 14 as lawmakers scrutinise the draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement.
The airport said a survey of more than 9,000 residents across nine local boroughs found that 68% supported the expansion, citing potential employment and economic opportunities.
Woldbye said the project could generate more than 100,000 jobs and attract £33 billion ($43.74 billion) in private investment across the UK. He added that the airport was prepared to proceed with the expansion.
Heathrow Expansion Faces Political and Planning Challenges
The proposed third runway has been debated for decades, with its future dependent on political support and the planning process.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham declined to endorse the project in September, saying the views of people living near Heathrow should be central to the decision.
Heathrow said demand for access to the airport continued to exceed available capacity, with more than 40 airlines seeking landing and take-off slots.
However, the airport warned in September that the planned opening of the third runway could be delayed until 2039, highlighting the challenges facing the expansion project.
Passenger Traffic Falls Amid Middle East Disruption
Heathrow handled nearly 7.2 million passengers in September, down 2.3% compared with the same month a year earlier, according to figures cited by Reuters.
The airport said the conflict in the Middle East contributed to a 20% decline in passenger traffic to the region during the month.
The expansion debate comes as Heathrow seeks to address capacity constraints and meet demand from airlines, while lawmakers assess the project’s economic benefits and implications for communities surrounding the airport.
Parliament’s scrutiny of the draft policy statement is a key step in considering the proposed expansion, although the project has yet to reach its final implementation stage.