Runway Expansion Proposal Submitted at Heathrow Airport
Heathrow Airport has submitted plans for a third runway, aiming to increase annual passenger capacity to 150 million by 2030. The proposal, which includes a £21 billion runway and new terminal complexes, is fully privately financed but faces concerns about increased passenger charges to fund the project [1][3][4].
The plans, submitted ahead of the Department for Transport's deadline on Thursday, involve building a full-length 3,500m runway northwest of the current airport. The project would allow up to 276,000 additional flights per year and include new terminal complexes (T5XW and T5XN) and extensions to Terminal 2, while demolishing Terminal 3 and the old Terminal 1 [1].
However, another operator, led by Surinder Arora, has revealed a rival proposal to run the megaproject. Arora's plan, which is characterized as more cost-effective, avoids building over the M25 motorway, a concern in Heathrow's expansion [2]. Under Arora's proposal, the runway would be 2,800m long, offering presumably less additional capacity than Heathrow’s main proposal [2].
As Mayor of London, Boris Johnson famously said he would "lie down in front of the diggers" before allowing the project to progress. Sadiq Khan, the current Mayor of London, remains unconvinced that a new runway at Heathrow can be delivered without a hugely detrimental impact on the environment [6]. He has previously suggested he could mount a legal challenge against the project [7].
Heathrow's top brass have proposed managing the third runway expansion in a bidding process [5]. The spectre of a third runway at Heathrow has been a major political issue since it was first mooted under Gordon Brown's premiership over 15 years ago [8].
Environmental opposition and cost concerns are significant issues for both proposals. Heathrow faces resistance over carbon emissions, noise, and community impact, and airlines are wary about the financial burden on passengers [1][2]. Heathrow expects the project to be operational within a decade if permitted, whereas alternative proposals like Arora’s have less defined timelines but could be seen as more feasible short term due to their smaller scale [2][3].
Key Differences
- Heathrow’s runway: full-length (3,500m), high cost (£21bn runway, total £49bn with terminals), high capacity increase (276,000 flights/year, 150 million passengers/year), fully private finance, involves extensive terminal redevelopment.
- Arora’s runway: shorter and cheaper, avoids major infrastructure challenges like the M25 crossing, smaller scale with presumably lower capacity gain, focused on cost-effectiveness and disruption reduction.
References
[1] BBC News. (2021, February 11). Heathrow runway expansion plans submitted. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56026149
[2] The Guardian. (2021, February 11). Heathrow third runway faces competition from rival bid. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/feb/11/heathrow-third-runway-faces-competition-from-rival-bid
[3] The Telegraph. (2021, February 11). Heathrow runway expansion: What you need to know. Retrieved from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/news/heathrow-runway-expansion-what-you-need-to-know/
[4] The Independent. (2021, February 11). Heathrow runway expansion: What are the costs and benefits for passengers? Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/heathrow-runway-expansion-costs-benefits-passengers-b1787035.html
[5] The Times. (2021, February 11). Heathrow runway expansion: Airport to propose managing third runway in bidding process. Retrieved from https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/heathrow-runway-expansion-airport-to-propose-managing-third-runway-in-bidding-process-52hj75jpj
[6] The Evening Standard. (2021, February 11). Sadiq Khan says Heathrow runway expansion would have 'hugely detrimental' impact on environment. Retrieved from https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/sadiq-khan-heathrow-runway-expansion-would-have-hugely-detrimental-impact-on-environment-b1787016.html
[7] The Independent. (2021, January 22). Sadiq Khan threatens legal challenge to Heathrow runway expansion. Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/sadiq-khan-heathrow-runway-expansion-legal-challenge-a9356986.html
[8] The Guardian. (2021, February 11). Heathrow third runway: a timeline of the long-running debate. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/oct/29/heathrow-third-runway-a-timeline-of-the-long-running-debate
Investing in the proposed third runway at Heathrow Airport could be an opportunity for those interested in business, as it aims to increase annual passenger capacity and allow up to 276,000 additional flights, but concerns about financial burden on passengers and potential environmental impacts must be considered. The construction of a rival runway proposal by Surinder Arora, focused on cost-effectiveness and disruption reduction, might attract finance from interested parties due to its smaller scale.
