BUSINESS NEWS


Chancellor Rachel Reeves is said to have met opposition


from fellow cabinet members to plans to expand Heathrow


Heathrow faces multiple hurdles to third runway


Analysis: Climate, airspace, cost and workforce are all barriers, says Ian Taylor


Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed government backing for a third runway at Heathrow last week. But firing the starting gun on expansion may only bring the obstacles into focus. Reeves invited proposals for a


third runway “to be brought forward by the summer” and promised: “The government will move at speed to review the Airports National Policy Statement on granting development consent.” She also signalled support for expansion at Gatwick and Luton. However, the obstacles are


64 6 FEBRUARY 2025


significant. One is the scale of expansion – projects at Stansted and City airports have already been approved and expansion at Heathrow and Gatwick could mean an 85% increase in passenger numbers around London. There is barely the airspace at present for existing schedules at Heathrow and Gatwick, so airspace modernisation is key. But the CAA’s airspace modernisation programme extends to 2040. Reeves’ enthusiasm for expansion


is not shared by all in the cabinet. Energy and climate change secretary


Ed Miliband publicly responded by saying: “Aviation expansion must be justified within carbon budgets and, if it can’t, won’t go ahead.” Privately, he was reported to be “livid”. A government source suggested there had been “a huge row between the Treasury and just about everybody”. Heathrow expansion is not


universally supported by airlines. British Airways, parent group IAG and Virgin Atlantic oppose a third


Continued on page 62 travelweekly.co.uk


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PICTURES: Shutterstock/van Blerk; UK Parliament/Chris McAndrew


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