More than 40 airlines are seeking slots at London Heathrow Airport, intensifying the pressure on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to approve plans for a third runway. The owners of Heathrow, which include Ardian, Qatar Investment Authority and Singapore’s GIC, must decide whether to submit a formal planning application for a third runway.
Airport officials are awaiting Burnham’s approval
In September 2026, Andy Burnham refused to disclose whether he supports the third runway – a project he actively opposed during his time as mayor of Greater Manchester over concerns it would delay transport for the north of England.
Airport management has said airlines are choosing competing hubs overseas due to Heathrow’s limited capacity and the UK is losing out on connectivity and growth opportunities. The project, estimated to cost £33 billion, could see the number of flights rise from 480,000 a year to 720,000, nearly 2,000 a day.
The impact of the expansion
The project has attracted opposition from local residents and groups, including the Climate Change Committee who warned it would be incompatible with the government’s climate targets, releasing as much C02 as the city of Birmingham. In a statement published on 6 Oct. 2026, Hillingdon council leader, Cllr Steve Tuckwell, reaffirmed the council’s unwavering opposition to the Heathrow expansion. He stated:
“Our residents already live with the effects of the airport every day, on their homes, roads, environment and quality of life. They are the people who would be expected to carry the consequences of a third runway, and they deserve to be at the heart of this debate.”
The project may require the demolition of hundreds of local homes while adding to the air and noise pollution already affecting residents. It would also require the rerouting of the M25. An official report released in June 2026 revealed the expansion could harm the health and wellbeing of 3 million people living nearby.
In a statement released 12 Oct. 2026, Heathrow Airport discussed the benefits to the expansion. Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye said:
“Expansion would unlock more than 100,000 jobs, inject £33 billion of private investment, strengthen British supply chains and increase export capacity for companies across the country. It would open the door to new airlines, new destinations and greater choice for consumers.”
The statement also says there is a growing number of politicians, trade unions, airlines and investors who are in full support of the expansion. They also stated:
“Despite recent headwinds including the Middle East conflict, new passenger figures published today show passenger demand remained strong with nearly 7.2 million passengers travelling through Heathrow in September.”
Parliament is currently reviewing the Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement and an eight week public consultation will run from 27 Oct. to 22 Dec. 2026. Airport bosses hope to receive official approval by 2029 and the runway aims to be operational by 2039, four years later than its original target of 2035.
What do you think of the Heathrow expansion? Let us know in the comments.
