Heathrow third runway faces 2039 opening after four-year delay

Heathrow Airport is now projecting that a third runway will not be operational until 2039, a four-year shift from its previous 2035 target. Airport officials aim to obtain planning permission by 2029, with operations commencing within a decade thereafter. This revised timeline follows indications of lukewarm support from political figures and ongoing debate surrounding the project's viability.

Revised Timeline and Project Scope

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The £33bn expansion project aims to increase Heathrow's flight capacity from its current cap of 480,000 flights per year to 756,000. To accommodate the new runway, the plans involve demolishing hundreds of homes, diverting rivers, and rerouting a section of the M25 motorway. Heathrow Airport stated that its existing runways have been at capacity for over two decades, limiting growth and impacting the wider UK economy. The airport claims the project would unlock capacity for 40 airlines seeking to operate new or additional services.

Concerns and Support for Expansion

Environmental organisations and campaign groups have voiced strong opposition. Tony Bosworth, climate campaigner at Friends of the Earth, suggested that the extended delay makes the economic case for the expansion "even more questionable," highlighting the significant social and environmental costs. Robert Barnstone, coordinator of the No 3rd Runway Coalition, argued that the expansion would lead to increased noise and poorer air quality for communities across London.

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Conversely, trade unions have expressed support for the third runway, citing its potential to create jobs and boost the economy. Warren Kenny, GMB London Regional Secretary, urged the government to address planning obstacles, stating that "every year of dithering is a year of apprenticeships not started, contracts not signed and wages not paid." Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite the Union, also emphasised the project's importance for securing "good, unionised jobs and a guaranteed market for UK steel."

Government Analysis and Next Steps

Government analysis indicates that a third runway at Heathrow could negatively affect airports in other parts of England and Wales, potentially leading to a loss of millions of passengers and impacting regional jobs. Further government assessments suggest the overall economic benefit might be less than anticipated and could have a "major adverse" effect on local health. A Department for Transport spokesperson noted that there is currently no live planning application and that the timeline has always been ambitious, with the department continuing to work with stakeholders to establish the appropriate framework for considering any future application.