Latest News

Britain looks at Heathrow expansion plans to increase growth

The British government is considering two competing multi-billion pound plans for a new runway at Heathrow, the country's largest airport. It hopes that this will help to kickstart economic development.

In January, Finance Minister Rachel Reeves backed Heathrow's expansion in an effort to end years of indecision over environmental concerns.

According to the government, airport expansions are not likely to derail net-zero targets because of the increased use by airlines of sustainable aviation fuel.

Heathrow Airport, located west of London is Europe's busiest hub. It operates at maximum capacity and has a negative impact on the British economy. Heathrow's two runways are compared to four at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, Frankfurt Airport and six at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam.

Heathrow Airport presented a proposal to the Government on Thursday for a new runway with an estimated price tag of 65 billion pounds (49 billion pounds). It said that it would be privately funded.

The Arora Group which owns hotels and land around Heathrow said that its plan to build a new runway will cost less than 25 billion pounds, but this does not include the full development costs.

Heathrow’s plan would see the infrastructure of the runway and airfield costing 21 billion pounds. The balance would be used to fund a new terminal and modernise existing infrastructure, as well as move a motorway.

The government, which had indicated in February that it was inclined to expand Gatwick (the country's second-largest airport), will make its final decision by October 27.

Both projects at Heathrow aim to have the new runway operational by 2035.

Heathrow's plan involves a 3,500-metre-long runway (11,483 feet) and the construction of a tunnel for a section London's M25 autobahn.

Arora plans to build a runway that is slightly shorter without moving the motorway. However, at 2,800 meters in length, the longest widebody jets would not be able to land on it.

Heathrow, according to British Airways owner IAG, is currently one of the most costly airports in the entire world. They are worried that expansion will lead to higher fees.

A spokesperson for IAG said that the airline supports a shorter runway.

The spokesperson stated that avoiding the M25 crossing would reduce complexity, costs and provide better value to passengers.

Department for Transport has said that the government will now review the submissions over the summer.

(source: Reuters)