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The expansion is expected to generate more than 100,000 direct jobs.
The UK government has formally endorsed Heathrow Airport’s third runway expansion, with chancellor Rachel Reeves confirming that proposals will be invited by the summer.
The announcement, made as part of Reeves’ speech at Siemens Healthineers in Oxfordshire, is framed as a move to boost economic growth, improve international connectivity and enhance air freight capacity.
“I have always been clear that a third runway at Heathrow would unlock further growth, boost investment, increase exports, and make the UK more open and more connected as part of our Plan for Change,” Reeves said.
She emphasised that recent planning reforms and modernisation of UK airspace would ensure the project’s successful delivery.
The expansion is expected to generate more than 100,000 direct jobs and provide economic benefits beyond London, with research from Frontier Economics suggesting that 60% of the economic uplift would be felt outside the UK capital.
The government also expects it to increase competition, lower airfares and reduce delays for passengers and businesses.
Heathrow is critical to UK logistics and global trade, handling 60% of all UK air freight and serving as the country’s only hub airport.
The government stated that expanding Heathrow is essential to maintaining the UK’s competitiveness against European rivals.
“Around three-quarters of all long-haul flights in the UK go from Heathrow,” said transport secretary Heidi Alexander in a statement to Parliament.
“But the airport is running at nearly full capacity, which is limiting our potential to compete with major European hubs and holding back growth.” Read more
Source: LOGISTICS MANAGER
