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Chancellor John Healey told the House of Commons that the government has approved the Heathrow third runway, a £33bn scheme projected to add 756,000 flights a year. The Treasury’s own appraisal puts the net present value between minus £23.4bn and minus £62.5bn. The public consultation ended on 1 September 2026.
Mayor Sadiq Khan has formally appealed to the government to reject the draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement. While the plan forecasts up to 61,000 jobs by 2055, the mayor and the London Assembly warn of worsening pollution and overloaded transport networks.
Seven London boroughs have written to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander to oppose the draft Heathrow expansion policy. They argue the proposed 3,500‑metre runway would increase noise, pollution and traffic, and a decision on the scheme is not expected until 2029.
The Mayor of London has stated that the government's justification for expanding Heathrow Airport is based on outdated information from 2015. City Hall's submission to the House of Commons Transport Committee argues that environmental evidence does not guarantee reduced impacts from a new runway.
The Mayor of London and Transport for London have warned that Heathrow Airport’s expansion could add 22 million car trips annually, worsening congestion and air pollution in west London. Their submission to the Transport Committee argues the government’s case relies on outdated evidence and risks undermining progress on emissions.
Richmond Council has formally objected to the Government’s draft Heathrow expansion national policy statement, citing concerns over noise, air pollution, and carbon emissions. The council disputes the economic benefits and calls for stronger protections for residents before any vote in Parliament later this year.
Heathrow handled 7.86 million passengers in July 2026, 1.5% fewer than last year, while Istanbul Airport recorded 8.15 million. The decline follows a 20.2% drop in Middle East routes and ongoing capacity constraints. A public consultation on Heathrow’s expansion is underway.
Heathrow passengers face decades of higher fares after the Civil Aviation Authority permitted Heathrow Airport Limited to recover £320m in early expansion costs. The regulator approved the move despite warnings from airlines that the decision could make the third runway project unaffordable for consumers.
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