Heathrow’s third runway slips to a possible 2039 opening
The airport is targeting planning permission by 2029, while Andy Burnham says he will consider consultation views before reaching a decision.
Heathrow no longer expects its proposed third runway to meet the original 2035 deadline. The airport says it aims to secure planning permission by 2029 and open the runway within a decade of approval, pointing to a possible 2039 start.
The timetable remains conditional. The Department for Transport says there is no live planning application for the project, which would cost £33bn and increase Heathrow’s annual flight cap from 480,000 to as many as 756,000.
At the Labour conference, Andy Burnham called the proposal “contested” and said he would consider views from a public consultation held over the summer. He declined to state whether he supported the runway, saying the issue was principally for London and its MPs.
Heathrow and unions argue expansion would create jobs and support economic growth. The airport says its existing runways have been full for more than two decades and that 40 airlines want to add or expand services.
Opponents cite noise, air pollution and social and environmental costs. Department for Transport analysis also indicates that other airports in England and Wales could lose passengers, while government analysis found the overall economic boost could be smaller than expected and local health effects could be significant.
Heathrow says the delay reflects planning constraints and maintains that expansion would benefit the wider UK economy. The department says it will work with the airport and other stakeholders on a framework for a planning application to be considered.
