Heathrow Airport is set to appoint former BT Group chief executive Philip Jansen as its new chairman this month, as Britain's busiest aviation hub pushes forward with ambitious plans for a £50 billion expansion programme.
Leadership Change at Critical Juncture
Philip Jansen, who currently serves as chairman of advertising giant WPP, will succeed Lord Deighton in the role, with an official announcement expected as early as this week. Sky News understands that Jansen has already begun engaging with Heathrow's major airline customers in recent weeks to discuss the position and the airport's future direction.
The selection of Jansen comes at a pivotal moment for Heathrow, with the airport submitting revised expansion plans in August that include a £21 billion third runway, £12 billion for new terminal capacity, and £15 billion to modernise existing facilities through expansion of Terminal 2.
Comprehensive Expansion Strategy
Heathrow's ambitious blueprint involves significant transformation of the airport's infrastructure. The plans confirm that the existing Terminal 3 would ultimately be closed as part of the redevelopment. The airport handled a record 83.9 million passengers last year and management insists that expansion is essential for Britain's economic growth, given the substantial volume of exports passing through the facility.
Thomas Woldbye, Heathrow's chief executive, emphasised the urgency in August, stating: "We are effectively operating at capacity to the detriment of trade and connectivity." He added that with government approval and appropriate policy support, the airport was prepared to begin investing this year in supply chains across the country.
Competition and Controversy
The expansion faces significant opposition from airlines concerned about increased charges and environmental campaigners. Meanwhile, businessman Surinder Arora has presented a rival proposal called Heathrow West, which he claims would cost nearly a third less than Heathrow Airport Limited's plan.
Arora described this as a "once in a generation moment" to deliver an expanded Heathrow, arguing that his scheme would avoid disrupting both the M4 and M25 motorways. The competing plans present the government with alternative visions for how to increase aviation capacity in southeast England.
The expansion has received backing from Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who stated that a third runway "could unlock further growth, boost investment, increase exports, and make the UK more open and more connected."
Jansen's appointment follows recent significant changes to Heathrow's ownership structure, with French investment group Ardian now holding 32.6% of the company and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund becoming a shareholder. The new chairman will lead a board dominated by representatives of the airport's principal investors as Heathrow navigates one of the most critical periods in its history.
