Heathrow Airport’s chief executive, Thomas Woldbye, has warned that failing to proceed with a third runway represents a “huge missed opportunity” for the United Kingdom. Speaking on Radio 4’s Today programme, Woldbye emphasized that clear direction from the government is needed regarding the expansion, particularly after Prime Minister Andy Burnham declined to confirm his support for the long-debated project. If they cannot invest in Heathrow… then that money will be invested somewhere else in the world,” Woldbye said. It’s not about allocating this money elsewhere.
The airport, which is the busiest in the UK, currently serves more than 80 million passengers annually using its two existing runways and four terminals. While the current flight limit sits at 480,000 per year, a third runway would allow capacity to grow to approximately 720,000 flights annually—an average of nearly 2,000 per day. The expansion, which would cost an estimated £33bn, involves complex infrastructure requirements, including the demolition of hundreds of residential homes, the diversion of local rivers, and the construction of a tunnel to reroute the M25 motorway between junctions 14 and 15.
Woldbye cautioned that the funding for this project is entirely private, sourced from a consortium of investors that includes French private equity firm Ardian, the Qatar Investment Authority, the China Investment Corporation, and the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund. He warned that if the UK cannot provide the necessary certainty to proceed, these investors will divert their capital to other global markets rather than spending it in Britain.
The government’s current position remains ambiguous. The Department for Transport stated it is reviewing consultation responses and determining the appropriate next steps. A spokesperson affirmed the government’s broad support for airport expansion where it fosters economic growth and opportunity while meeting environmental criteria, noting the potential for Heathrow’s expansion to generate roughly £40 billion in economic benefits nationwide. However, Downing Street declined to comment on Woldbye’s specific remarks. And Heathrow has argued the expansion would provide a “huge economic boost” and create jobs, this additional traffic would potentially lead to a huge surge in revenue for the airport’s owners.
Prime Minister Burnham, who opposed the expansion while serving as the Mayor of Greater Manchester, has maintained that the decision is “for London and Londoners.” He previously told the media that he does not wish to rush a decision following the recent consultation. Despite this, Woldbye argued that the project is not merely a local concern, pointing out that the airport’s supply chain extends across the entire country. He noted that the plans have received backing from trade unions. 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,” he said, speaking to last month.
Regarding concerns over increased noise for surrounding communities, Woldbye claimed that noise pollution at the site has seen a “stark” reduction over the last four decades and expressed confidence that this downward trend would continue. He also addressed the timeline, suggesting that the opening date, previously set for 2035, could be pushed to 2039 due to ongoing regulatory and planning complications. Subject to plans being submitted and approved, but Heathrow has since suggested it would be delayed by four years to 2039 due to planning and regulatory issues, the new runway was scheduled to open by 2035.
The project has faced persistent opposition for decades from local residents, politicians, and climate activists. Last year, then-chancellor Rachel Reeves had signaled that the third runway was a vital necessity that the government could no longer avoid. Woldbye stressed that the uncertainty surrounding the project is the primary concern, noting that providing a clear path forward is essential for both the airport and the local residents who have lived under the threat of expansion for years.
