Heathrow Airport has formally submitted its plans for a third runway to the government, with Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander set to review the proposal. The next stage will see a public consultation on the national policy framework for airports, which outlines how approval for such a project can be granted. Only after this process can a full planning application be lodged.
The £49 billion scheme would increase Heathrow’s capacity by 276,000 flights a year, bringing the total to 756,000 annually. Plans include diverting part of the M25 into a tunnel beneath the new runway. Alongside the proposal, the Department for Transport is preparing to launch an Airspace Design Service to redesign the UK’s flight paths, aiming to improve efficiency and reduce delays — a move seen as essential for accommodating the extra air traffic.
Other proposals, including a shorter runway plan from the Arora Group, will also be considered. Logistics UK’s Senior Policy Manager, Alexandra Herdman, stressed the importance of ensuring air freight growth is included in the winning design, noting Heathrow’s role as the UK’s largest port by value and a vital link for global trade.
Meanwhile, the government is expected to approve plans allowing Gatwick’s second “emergency” runway to be used regularly, with conditions on noise levels and public transport improvements. A final decision is anticipated in the autumn.