Heathrow CEO Seeks Government Clarity on Third Runway Expansion

The chief executive of Heathrow Airport stated that his organization requires definitive guidance from the incoming government by the close of 2025 regarding proposals for airport expansion and the construction of a third runway. Thomas Woldbye, who has led the west London airport for 13 months, informed BBC London that his company would refrain from investment without a “positive indication.” The initiative had received parliamentary approval in June 2018; however, it faced delays due to legal disputes concerning its environmental effects and the repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic. According to the Department for Transport, any proposed expansion “must demonstrate they contribute to economic growth.” Mr. Woldbye commented: “We need to be joined up with both government and our airlines to say this is what we all want and what is it we contribute to make this a success.” The previous head of Copenhagen Airport further stated: “The way I look at it is that Heathrow is uniquely well connected to the rest of the world and all of you get benefits from that. “If we are to keep pace with economic growth, we need to expand beyond what we can do with the current runways.” When asked if he was receiving any signals from the new government regarding its intentions, he responded. “I think government has been saying they would like to stimulate economic growth and airports can do that,” Mr. Woldbye stated. “The government has also been clear that they support airport expansion – exactly what and how that’s defined we need to talk about – but those are two very positive messages.” Heathrow’s proposals for a third runway, situated to the north-west of its current two, are presently endorsed by government policy via the Airports National Policy Statement. These plans envision the creation of capacity for an extra 260,000 flights annually. The project would also include a new terminal, and the M25 orbital motorway would be rerouted underneath the runway. Nevertheless, these plans have generated controversy for ten years. Significant portions of the villages of Harmondsworth, Sipson, and Longford would face demolition. While Slough has expressed support, local authorities such as Hillingdon, Richmond, and Wandsworth are all against the proposal. London Mayor Sadiq Khan also voiced his opposition to expansion at Heathrow “due to the damaging impact it would have on air quality, noise and London’s ability to achieve net-zero carbon by 2030.” The airport’s subsequent action would involve submitting a planning application, and Mr. Woldbye believes a justification for expansion can be presented. “It’s important to underline that this airport and most other airports in the world make considerably less noise than we have ever done before. So the trajectory is right,” he stated. He continued: “Next one is of course to involve and invite our neighbours in and say this is a company that creates enormous value for the entirety of the UK.” He added: “We do put strain on our neighbours, how do we invite them in? We have an academy that over the past 20 years has helped 10,000 people get jobs in and around the airport.” Heathrow ranks among Europe’s busiest airports, employing 90,000 individuals on its premises. Earlier in the current year, it registered its peak passenger count over a 12-month duration. The construction of a third runway is estimated to cost a minimum of £14 billion, with funding provided by Heathrow Airport’s owners. Mr. Woldbye recognizes the necessity for climate mitigation measures, asserting that any expansion must adhere to the UK’s carbon targets. He remarked: “Now of course there are climate issues and other issues that we will need to solve in that process.” He continued: “But I think if you just look from the point of people wishing to travel and the enormous support that has for not just travelling but also trade going through Heathrow was worth more than £200 billion a year. “If we’re to keep up with that growth we need it.” Consequently, what does Heathrow seek from the government? “Clear direction,” Mr. Woldbye responded. He elaborated: “Is this something that we strategically want from a transport national strategy point of view? “Is this what we want? Then what can we do to make it happen? What are the safeguards we need? “I cannot see a company like ours investing that sum of money without having a clear steer and clear wish from government that strategically that is the right thing to do.” Should explicit guidance not be provided, Mr. Woldbye believes a third runway will not materialize. He questioned: “If the country doesn’t want it, why would we build it?” A spokesperson for the DfT stated: “We are committed to securing the long-term future of the UK’s aviation sector.” They added that any expansion proposals “must demonstrate they contribute to economic growth, which is a foundation of this government’s Plan for Change, while remaining in line with existing environmental obligations.”