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Heathrow third runway vote: What you need to know as MPs prepare to vote on airport expansion

MPs will vote on whether to build a new runway at London's Heathrow Airport on Monday, potentially paving the way for the airport's expansion after decades of delays and policy U-turns.

The government is expected to win the vote, although the result could be close as the issue has split MPs regardless of their party lines, with some opposed to the extra noise and air pollution it will bring to London.

Heathrow is Europe's busiest airport and operating at full capacity.

The 14 billion pound plan to build a third runway faces opposition from local communities and environmentalists but its backers say it is needed to allow new trade links after Britain leaves the European Union and help secure economic growth.

Here is what you need to know about today's vote.

What’s the plan?

A new runway built north-west of the existing two.

Taking flight: an artist’s impression of the planned third runway at Heathrow, with proposals for satellite terminals
Taking flight: an artist’s impression of the planned third runway at Heathrow, with proposals for satellite terminals

How many extra flights will there be?

The number is currently capped at 480,000 a year but there could be more than 740,000 — an extra 260,000 flights a year.

How much will it cost?

About £14 billion, on current estimates. Airport bosses took £2.5 billion off earlier plans.

Will it be easy to build?

No — it is a huge project, and the runway may go over the M25.

Will passengers be left footing the bill?

Heathrow receives £22 per ticket from airlines on average. It has pledged to keep this charge “close to today’s levels” but critics doubt it will happen.

What are the economic benefits?

Heathrow bosses say the total could be £187 billion by 2050. Other experts suggest the benefits are smaller, and roughly the same for another runway at Gatwick.

Will there be more noise?

Heathrow says that, with a third runway, it could operate with less noise than it does now — but environmentalists strongly dispute this.

Will there be a night flight ban?

Yes, for six-and-a-half hours between 11pm and 7am. However, there is a dispute about how early flights should start.

Can a third runway operate within EU pollution limits?

It may struggle to achieve this initially, but the shift to electric cars should cut NO2 levels dramatically.

Will there be any compensation for the local community?

Heathrow has pledged more than £1 billion in compensation to buy affected properties and to provide noise insulation and better protection for schools.

Will it get the backing of MPs?

With most Tory and Labour MPs expected to support a third runway, there should be a Commons majority.

So will it get built?

It is more likely than previously but the project still faces court battles, questions over financing and the Brexit political turmoil threatening the Government.