London Heathrow Officially Submits Expansion Plans

‍LONDON — London Heathrow Airport (LHR) has submitted its third runway and new terminal complex expansion plan to the UK government.

The third runway, northwest of Heathrow's location, is expected to be 3,500 meters (11,400 feet) long; however, the airport is open to considering a shorter runway as long as it is longer than 3,000 meters. Costs to build a new runway are estimated to be £21bn.

New terminal complexes named T5XW and T5XN would be built, Terminal 2 extended, and Terminals 1 and 3 would be demolished. 

The total cost of the expansion is estimated to be £49bn and would be privately funded. However, some airlines expressed their concern that the project would cause an increase in passengers’ fees to fund the expansion. 

The M25 motorway would be relocated into a tunnel under a new runway at LHR as part of the airport's plan.

Opponents of the Expansion

Expansion will affect residents as well. According to Sky News, 750 homes in Longford and Harmondsworth would be demolished. While the airport stated in its expansion plan that it would take care of those affected by the expansion, residents remain reticent towards the expansion.

London Mayor, Sir Sadiq Khan, opposes expansion, citing its severe impact on the capital's residents. Sir Sadiq Khan said that City Hall will carefully and thoughtfully examine each expansion proposal. He also added, “I'll be keeping all options on the table in how we respond.”

Arora Group’s Expansion Plan

According to the billionaires’ Arora Group, a shorter runway of 2,800 meters (9,200 feet) is enough and would avoid the need to divert the M25 motorway. 

According to Arora’s plan, a shorter runway would result in reduced risk and avoid excessive costs in comparison to the airport's expansion plan.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander will consider all expansion plans over the summer, and a review of the Airports National Policy Statement could begin later this year. 

Goal of Heathrow’s Expansion

Heathrow Airport forecasted that the third runway, together with a new terminal complex, would increase annual Air Traffic Movements by 276,000 and boost the airport’s capacity to 150 million passengers per year. Cargo capacity would increase by 50%

According to the airports commission, expansion would support at least 30 new daily airline routes by the year 2040. 

In addition to better international connectivity, the airport also plans to expand domestic connectivity and enhance access and use of public transport.

Expansion will add 0.43% to the UK’s GDP by 2050, being the largest privately financed project. Airport states that expansion would boost local infrastructure and add tens of thousands of local jobs.

According to Heathrow’s presented plan, expansion would be compatible with meeting net zero emissions in 2050 while also enhancing the efficiency of the airport’s infrastructure and strengthening its role as a hub, thus benefiting both the airport’s and the UK’s development.