Two of the UK’s busiest airports set for huge expansion as new runways backed by Rachel Reeves
CHANCELLOR Rachel Reeves is set to support a third runway at Heathrow Airport and endorse the full-time use of a second runway at Gatwick Airport.
Plans to introduce an additional runway at Heathrow Airport have been debated for decades.
Back in June 2018, the UK Parliament voted in favour of introducing a third runway at the airport.
The Court of Appeal ruled the government’s approval unlawful in 2020 because it did not meet the country’s commitments to climate change under the Paris Agreement.
Later that year, the Supreme Court overturned the ruling, allowing the project to continue.
While there is no current application for a third runway at Heathrow Airport, Reeves is expected to announce her support for any future plans.
A spokesperson from Heathrow Airport told Sun Online Travel: “Heathrow is the best-connected airport in the world. That competitive advantage for UK plc already enables over £200bn of British trade annually.
“But growing the economy means adding capacity at the UK’s hub airport which is full.
“That’s why we’re planning to unlock capacity by improving and upgrading our existing infrastructure, while also looking at potential options to deliver a third runway at Heathrow in line with strict tests on carbon, noise and air quality.”
Reeves’ support is part of a wider plan to boost the country’s economic growth by increasing airport capacity in the southeast of England.
The Chancellor is also set to support the full-time use of a second runway at Gatwick Airport.
At present, Gatwick uses its second runway to taxi aircraft and in emergency situations.
Plans to bring the second runway into full-time use were submitted in 2023, with transport secretary Heidi Alexander due to make a decision on the plans.
A spokesperson from Gatwick Airport told Sun Online Travel: “At London Gatwick, we can be a major part of the Government’s drive for growth.
“We are already contributing over £5.5billion to the UK economy and supporting over 76,000 jobs, but unless we can access greater airport capacity the UK will miss out on opportunities to enhance global connectivity and unlock further opportunities for trade, tourism and job creation.
“Bringing our Northern Runway into routine use, through a £2.2 billion privately financed, shovel-ready investment will create 14,000 jobs and generate £1 billion a year in economic benefits.
“The project, which is due for government approval early next year, could be operational by the end of the decade.
“We have put forward a strong and compelling case focused around making best use of our existing infrastructure, minimising noise and environmental impacts and meeting the four ‘tests’ for airport expansion set by Labour”.
The UK Chancellor is also expected to back plans to double passenger capacity at London Luton Airport.
A decision regarding Luton Airport’s £2.4billion expansion was delayed by government officials for a third time back in December.
Luton Rising, the owners of the London-based airport, want to build a new terminal to increase capacity by nearly 50 per cent.
In December, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander delayed the decision to have more time to consider the application.
It is hoped that a decision will now be reached by April 3, 2025, with the Department for Transport seeking “appropriate time to fully consider this complex application”.
Reeves is set to deliver a speech on the country’s economic growth, including airport expansion plans, next week.
According to Bloomberg News, this is when the Chancellor will back the expansion plans.
The UK government issued the following statement to The Times: “We are determined to get our economy moving and secure the long-term future of the UK’s aviation sector.
“All expansion proposals must demonstrate they contribute to economic growth, which is central to our ‘Plan for Change’, while remaining in line with existing environmental obligations.”
Three other UK airports getting revamped
HERE are three other airports in the UK currently undergoing multi-million-pound renovations.
Last year, London Stansted Airport confirmed its plans for the £1.1 billion renovation. The Ryanair hub will be extending its main terminal. £500million will be put into improving the current terminal and the rest of the airport.
A renovation at Bristol Airport will also see its terminal size increase. The £400 million revamp follows a record number of people travelling through the airport, welcoming 10 million passengers in a 12-month period for the first time ever.
Manchester Airport is currently being revamped. The £1.3billion project was first announced back in 2015, with work being split into two phases.
London Stansted Airport confirmed a £1.1billion renovation, with a £600million new terminal.
And Manchester Airport is currently undergoing a £1.3billion renovation