Next steps as Rachel Reeves backs Heathrow Airport expansion

An aerial view of Heathrow airport
-Credit:PA Archive/PA Images


Rachel Reeves has given her backing to the expansion of Heathrow airport, but insists a number of issues need to be ironed out before a third runway can be built. The Chancellor has said the Government is "inviting" Heathrow to put forward proposals for a third runway "by the summer".

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander stated that once these have been received, the Department for Transport will review its Airports National Policy Statement (NPS). She added that the NPS "provides the basis for decision making" on a Development Consent Order (DCO) application submitted by the airport.

The DCO process is expected to take around 18 months and will involve a public consultation on the expansion plan. The Planning Inspectorate will consider the application and make a recommendation to the Transport Secretary, who will decide whether to grant the DCO.

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If the scheme gets the green light, it's highly likely that campaigners will launch judicial reviews of the minister’s decision. If no legal challenges are brought or if they fail, Heathrow can start building.

A graphic showing Heathrow's expansion plan
-Credit:PA Graphics/Press Association Images

There's currently no timeline for when this will happen, but it's likely to be at least another decade before a new runway opens. The airport is considering investing in its supply chain even before it submits a DCO application and hopes to create new jobs by the end of this Parliament.

Meanwhile, insiders at Heathrow said airport bosses want to work with the Government on a number of changes before making major investments in the project.

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They are pushing for planning reforms that would ensure their application to build the scheme won't be delayed for years due to appeals. They're also calling for a revamp of how the airport’s finances are regulated, as they believe the current system wouldn't let them recover the investment required to construct a new runway.

The Civil Aviation Authority sets the limit on per passenger charges that airlines must pay to Heathrow. Another issue that Heathrow chiefs want guarantees over is airspace modernisation, to cut down on time and fuel wasted by outdated and inefficient flight routes.

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