Prime Minister Andy Burnham has stopped short of endorsing a third runway at Heathrow Airport, following revelations that the massive infrastructure project could be delayed by as much as four years. While former Chancellor Rachel Reeves previously championed the expansion as a key economic driver with a target completion date of 2035, Heathrow indicated on Saturday that operations may not commence before 2039.
Addressing the development on Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg, the prime minister noted he would wait for the conclusion of the ongoing consultation process. “I think principally, it’s a matter for London and Londoners,” Burnham stated. “I think we ought to hear the voice of people there first. It’s not right for me to just jump straight in on the back of the consultation.” As he prepared for his first annual Labour Party conference as prime minister, Burnham said: “There’s a consultion but there are different views and you have to take those views seriously in coming to a decision.
Burnham previously opposed the expansion while serving as Mayor of Greater Manchester, citing concerns over potential neglect of northern transport investment. Upon assuming the office of prime minister, he described himself as “open-minded” regarding the proposal. He emphasized that various perspectives must be weighed before a final determination is made.
Heathrow Airport responded to the prime minister’s comments by noting their alignment with the need to listen to local concerns. The airport management stated that consistent polling over the last ten years demonstrates growing community support for the expansion plans.
The ambitious £33bn project aims to increase annual flight capacity from the current limit of 480,000 to 720,000, averaging nearly 2,000 flights daily. Supporters argue the scheme would generate 100,000 jobs and provide a significant boost to the UK economy. Trade unions, including Unite and the GMB, have backed the plan, with Unite general secretary Sharon Graham calling the runway “essential” for investing in the workforce, securing unionized jobs, and guaranteeing a market for domestic steel.
Conversely, the project faces stiff opposition from environmental advocates, local resident groups, and London Mayor Sadiq Khan. Implementation of the plans would require substantial changes to the local landscape, including the demolition of hundreds of homes, the diversion of local rivers, and the rerouting of a section of the M25 motorway through a tunnel.
Heathrow officials acknowledged that meeting their original timeline has become increasingly difficult, though they aim to secure planning permission by 2029 and complete the project within a decade thereafter. The Department for Transport acknowledged the timeline had “always been ambitious” and committed to working with stakeholders “at pace” to address the situation.
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