The government has selected Heathrow Airport Ltd's £33bn plan for a third runway, which includes moving a section of the M25 motorway, as the preferred option for expansion. The scheme, expected to be operational by 2035, involves a 2.2-mile north-western runway crossing the M25, with up to 760 more flights daily over London.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander stated that the plan was chosen as the 'most credible and deliverable option' over a rival £23bn proposal by the Arora Group, which would not have required moving the M25. Alexander said the decision would enable progress to full planning permission by 2029, provided the runway meets government tests on environmental, economic, noise, and air quality impacts.
The runway itself is estimated to cost £21bn, with an additional £12bn for associated infrastructure such as new satellite terminals. Heathrow has pledged a further £15bn in airport improvements, with the entire project privately financed. The airport's capacity would increase to 756,000 flights and 150 million passengers annually.
Environmental groups have criticised the plan, with Friends of the Earth's Tony Bosworth calling it 'a reckless gamble' incompatible with the UK's legally binding climate targets. The government said it would consult the Climate Change Committee to ensure consistency with net zero obligations.
Arora Group chair Surinder Arora said his company would continue to pursue building the runway, despite its proposal being rejected, and called for a transparent process to select a promoter. Heathrow welcomed the decision but sought further regulatory clarity from the government and Civil Aviation Authority.
