The Government has given its formal backing to Heathrow Airport's controversial £33 billion expansion plans, which include the unprecedented step of moving a section of the M25 motorway to accommodate a new third runway.
Heathrow's Expansion Vision Gets Green Light
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has officially rejected a competing proposal from the Arora Group, declaring that Heathrow's own expansion blueprint represents "the most credible and deliverable option" for increasing the airport's capacity. The decision, announced in a written statement to Parliament on Tuesday 25th November 2025, marks a significant milestone in the long-running debate about airport expansion in southeast England.
The approved Heathrow scheme involves constructing a substantial 3,500-metre runway northwest of the existing two runways. This ambitious engineering project will require building the M25 in a new tunnel and series of bridges approximately 130 metres west of its current alignment, at an estimated cost of £1.5 billion.
Why Arora's Alternative Was Rejected
The rival proposal from hotel tycoon Surinder Arora's group envisioned a shorter 2,800-metre runway that would not have necessitated diverting the M25. However, Ms Alexander determined that this alternative would still have "a considerable impact" on the motorway and would require the compulsory purchase of significantly more residential properties surrounding the airport.
Heathrow Airport welcomed the government's decision, with a spokesperson emphasising that expansion would deliver "more connectivity, increased trade, improved passenger experience and a huge economic boost for the British businesses that will help design and build it."
Next Steps and Regulatory Challenges
Despite the approval, Heathrow officials have called for "further clarity" on how regulators will oversee the project's next phase. The airport has requested "definitive decisions" from both the Government and the Civil Aviation Authority by mid-December to ensure the project maintains momentum.
The fully privately financed expansion represents one of Britain's largest infrastructure projects in decades. Upon completion, it will dramatically increase Heathrow's capacity to 756,000 flights and 150 million passengers annually, positioning it as a global aviation hub capable of competing with other major international airports.
The Government has consistently supported the third runway as part of its broader strategy to stimulate economic growth, arguing that enhanced airport capacity is essential for boosting international trade and maintaining Britain's competitive edge in the post-Brexit landscape.
