Heathrow Airport has confirmed that its third runway will not open until 2039, a four-year delay from the original 2035 target. The airport, the UK's largest and busiest, has informed the Government that the earlier deadline is no longer achievable.
Revised Timeline for Heathrow Expansion
Heathrow is now aiming to secure planning permission for the scheme by 2029, with construction and delivery of the runway expected to take within a decade. The revised timeline was announced after the airport informed the Government that the original 2035 target, set by then-chancellor Rachel Reeves in January, was considered ambitious at the time.
A spokesman for Heathrow said: "It's right that ambitious targets were set; the sooner expansion begins, the sooner the whole UK will benefit. Our focus has always been to secure planning permission by 2029. Once achieved, the runway will be open within a decade – and the benefits of expansion can be felt from today."
Economic Impact and Job Creation
The spokesman highlighted the potential benefits of the project, stating: "At least 108,000 new jobs and billions invested in supply chains in every part of the country. This is a national project, 100% privately financed, which will support growth today and secure the UK's position in the global economy once the runway opens."
The revised timeline is likely to disappoint those who viewed the project as key to driving regional growth and job creation. Heathrow officials believe the runway could be delivered sooner if additional regulatory barriers are removed, beyond the planning law reforms already introduced by the Government.
Government Response and Next Steps
A spokesman for the Department for Transport said: "There is currently no live planning application for a third runway, and we cannot comment on ongoing consultation processes or prejudice them in a way that will only delay progress. The timeline has always been ambitious. We'll continue to work with promoters, including Heathrow, and all other stakeholders at pace to ensure the right framework is in place for which a planning application for a third runway could be considered."
The Government has not yet received a formal planning application for the third runway, and the consultation process remains ongoing. The airport's revised schedule sets 2029 as the target for securing planning permission, with the runway expected to open within a decade of that approval.
