London Heathrow Airport Third Runway: The Saga continues

For almost 20 years, there have been questions about London Heathrow (LHR) airport which has obtained a third track. It is recommended by the government. Then it is approved. Then he is blocked by a court. Then it is approved again. Then it is blocked again.

Well, there is now a new development, because there is a renewed push so that Heathrow has a third track. Will this really happen, however? GOOD…

The debate on a third track at Heathrow Airport

Heathrow is one of the largest airports in the world, and it served nearly 84 million passengers in 2024. The socket is that the airport is strongly forced to capacity, because it has only two tracks. Currently, the airport authorizes up to 480,000 aircraft movements per year.

In order to operate from the airport, airlines need slots and these slots are incredibly precious. Famous, in 2016, Oman Air paid a record of $ 75 million for a pair of slots at the airport, to be able to fly.

The only practical way for Heathrow can increase capacity is with the construction of a third track. As you can imagine, it’s controversial.

The argument in favor of a third track is quite simple – it would help fuel economic growth, allowing more non -stop service between Heathrow and other destinations. Air connectivity fuels economic growth. Period. However, the arguments against this are numerous:

• It would be expensive, and once the construction at first, it would take at least a decade to finish
• About 1,000 houses near the airport should be demolished, to make room for the airport
• Another track will help the United Kingdom with its climatic targets because it will increase in emissions
• The London region has six different airports, and some have a significant capacity available, so in many ways, it is simply a question of continuing to build a Mega Hub

Although it was a calm for several years with regard to the possibility of a third track in Heathrow, this is now considered again more seriously. Chancellor Rachel Reeves, British Minister of Finance, has now supported a third track in Heathrow.

She said it could create 100,000 jobs, and that “a third track is seriously necessary” and that the government “can no longer dodge the decision”. While she explained:

“I can confirm today that this government supports a third track in Heathrow and invites the proposals to be presented in the summer. We will then make a complete assessment before the airport national policy declaration. This will ensure that the project is a value for money and that our clear expectation is that all the associated service transport costs will be funded by private funding. It will guarantee that a third track is delivered in accordance with our legal, environmental and climatic objectives. »»

Interestingly, she criticized the previous governments to support the third track proposal without making progress, so she really prepares for a little test here, seeing if she can do better. Of course, let me emphasize that any project like this would take at least a decade, so that would not open before 2035 at the earliest.

My point of view on the prospect of a third track in Heathrow

Should Heathrow have a third track? I mean, yes, personally, I think it seems to be a reasonable proposal, and ultimately, it is important for a major market to have a large competitive airport, with a lot of connectivity without stopping.

That being said, do I think it will materialize? I think it is unlikely, and that we will see more of the same thing – proposals, recommendations, approvals, blocking by a court, etc.

For what? Well, two reasons. First of all, investments in infrastructure are simply not very sexy for politicians. People are only in an elected office for so long, and if you put a lot of effort in something that takes a decade or more to complete, you don’t really get political brownie points for that, in the same way as Something that has more instant gratuity.

The other problem is only all parties that disagree with each other, and how often the feeling of the public changes according to which is in office. The third track is opposed by many politicians, environmentalists, those who live near the airport and even many air leaders. For example, as British Airways is the largest airline in Heathrow, the airline is opposed to this expansion because it would increase competition.

Even if we see a proposal now, then a temporary approval, you know that there will be an endless dispute, and a judge somewhere along the way that blocks something. Then, if there is a change in political vibrations, the project will be put back as quickly as it started. At least it’s my catch …

End

There is again that Heathrow Airport gets a third track because the current government has expressed strong support for the concept. This is a debate that has been happening for almost 20 years, so it is hardly new. In the past, we have seen this concept proposed and even approved, only to be blocked by the courts.

Only time will tell us if things are happening differently this time. I think that a third track for Heathrow makes sense, although I also think that seeing this throughout is a difficult battle.

What do you do with the prospects for obtaining a third track?