Following the Chancellors growth statement issued last month, Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye responded to the Government's support for the expansion of Heathrow.
Woldbye confirmed plans for a third runway and announced a significant investment programme on 12 February.
Commenting on the expansion, the Heathrow boss said that a third runway is critical for the country’s future growth and success before confirming a multibillion pound privately funded investment plan.
“This privately funded programme will upgrade existing infrastructure while laying the groundwork for a third runway, boosting UK investment and economic growth, with tangible benefits felt this year. Heathrow is proud to answer the Chancellor's call to get Britain building," said Woldbye.
The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport UK (CILT(UK)) welcomed the news of the government’s support for the expansion in January but also highlighted the importance of prioritising environmental concerns.
Paul Le Blond FCILT, Chair of the CILT(UK) Aviation Policy Group has added further comments following Thomas Woldbye’s announcement.
“The combination of Heathrow's announcement about a strategy with both short- and long-term elements, and the Aviation Minister's remarks at the House of Commons Transport Committee, is very close to the strategy CILT suggested in its report on the Airports National Policy Statement.
“We would additionally urge the government to update the UK wide elements of airports policy as contained in the 'Making Best Use' policy statement, to ensure that the relationship of Heathrow expansion to the UK wide transport system and economic benefits is fully understood, and to make clear the need to keep to the carbon budgets,” said Paul.
What are Heathrow’s expansion plans?
- Terminal infrastructure: Heathrow will work with airlines and the regulator to finalise plans to invest in the capacity of Terminal 2 and make changes to optimise and increase passenger capacity in Terminal 5.
- Improving customer experience and punctuality: Reconfigure and improve the layout of the airfield, increasing the number of aircraft stands, to improve resilience and punctuality.
- Local transport connections and sustainable travel: The investment programme includes plans to further improve bus and coach connections to encourage sustainable and active travel options and benefit our local communities.
- Sustainability: New infrastructure will have improved environmental credentials and will use more sustainable sources of power, supporting the ambitious targets set out in Heathrow’s Connecting People and Planet sustainability strategy.
Heathrow confirmed that full details of the investment programme, phasing, and the pathway to a third runway will be part of the airports initial proposals submitted to government this summer.
Image credit Heathrow, Artist depiction of expansion