Overview
- Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander selected Heathrow Airport Ltd’s design over Surinder Arora’s shorter alternative, while leaving open who could act as project promoter.
- The plan includes a 3,500-metre runway to the northwest and a major reconfiguration of the M25, with a new tunnel section built about 130 metres west of the current route between junctions 14 and 15.
- Estimated costs are about £33bn for the core scheme rising to £49bn with wider upgrades, with Heathrow saying the expansion will be privately financed through airline charges rather than taxpayer funding.
- Government will update the Airports National Policy Statement now, consult the public next summer, and pursue development consent for a decision this parliament, as Heathrow seeks regulatory clarity from the CAA and ministers by mid-December.
- Backers cite jobs and connectivity gains with capacity up to roughly 756,000 flights and 150 million passengers a year by the 2030s, while airlines warn of higher charges and environmental and local groups oppose demolition, disruption and emissions impacts.