Heathrow’s chief executive says ruling out a third runway would send private capital elsewhere and leave the UK missing out on growth. Ministers are still reviewing consultation responses and have not set out a final position.
01Summary
- 01Thomas Woldbye said not building a third runway at Heathrow would be a "huge missed opportunity" for the UK.
- 02He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme it would be "good to know" the government's position after comments by Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
- 03The Department for Transport said it was reviewing responses to a consultation and considering the next steps on its Airports National Policy Statement.
- 04Heathrow says expanding the airport could deliver about £40bn in economic benefits across the country and cost around £33bn to build.
- 05A third runway could increase annual flights at Heathrow from 480,000 to 720,000, but it would require demolishing hundreds of homes and rerouting the M25.
02Why it matters
The decision affects a major UK transport hub, with implications for jobs, supply chains and long-term airport capacity. It also has direct consequences for local communities and wider climate and planning debates.
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