Expansion of Heathrow Airport#Third runway and additional terminal

File:Heathrow Airport map with third runway.svg]]

In January 2009, the then Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon announced that the UK government supported the expansion of Heathrow by building a third runway, {{convert|2200|m|ft|abbr=on|sigfig=4}} long serving a new passenger terminal, a hub for public and private transport set apart from the Central hub between terminals 2 and 3, the southern hub of 4 and western hub of Terminal 5. The government would encourage the airport operator (BAA) to apply for planning permission and to carry out the work. The government anticipated that the new runway would be operational in 2015 or soon after.{{cite web|url=http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/speechesstatements/statements/infrastructure |title=Transport Secretary's statement to the House of Commons, 15th January 2009 |publisher=Department of Transport |access-date=16 January 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090306050807/http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/speechesstatements/statements/infrastructure |archive-date=6 March 2009 }}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/15_01_09decision_doc.pdf|title=Britain's Transport Infrastructure Adding Capacity at Heathrow: Decisions Following Consultation|date=2009|author=Department for Transport|publisher=DfT Publications}}{{Circular reference|date=May 2017}} In 2009 the government stipulated it would limit extra flights to 125,000 per year until 2020, rather than the full capacity of circa 222,000. The third runway plans drafted involve compulsory acquisition and demolition of approximately 700 homes for which 125% market value would be paid to compensate families.

In January 2009, more detailed plans for a third runway were government backed subject to funding, legal and parliamentary approval, together with a terminal which would include a Heathrow Hub railway station to provide the first extra-London rail link using the Great Western Main Line, perhaps at the global definition of "high speed", involving the national High Speed 2 new railway project.{{cite news |title=Heathrow expansion: Construction |work=BBC News Online |date=15 January 2009 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7825109.stm|access-date=29 December 2009}}

In March 2010, the route for High Speed 2 was announced. It did not include a direct connection with Heathrow, but did include a new station at Old Oak Common before reaching the London terminus of Paddington – also served by Crossrail.{{cite web|url=http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/pi/highspeedrail/commandpaper/pdf/cmdpap.pdf|title=High Speed Rail|publisher=Department for Transport|page=107|access-date=23 March 2010}}

On 12 May 2010, expansion was cancelled as part of the coalition agreement agreed by the new Conservative-Liberal Democrat government. BAA formally dropped its plans on 24 May 2010.{{cite news |title=Third runway plan for Heathrow scrapped by BAA |work=The Guardian |date=24 May 2010 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/may/24/third-runway-heathrow-scrapped-baa|access-date=24 May 2010 | location=London | first=Peter | last=Walker}} However, London First, a lobby group representing many of London's businesses and major employers, continued to press the coalition government to rethink their opposition to the expansion of the airport.{{cite news|last=Topham|first=Gwyn|title=Ministers accused of 'negligence' for ruling out third Heathrow runway|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/feb/01/government-negligent-third-heathrow-runway|access-date=7 February 2012|newspaper=The Guardian|date=1 February 2012|location=London}}

On 1 July 2015, the Airports Commission recommended the third runway with further terminal, with a projected capacity (on completion) of 740,000 flights per year.{{cite web|url=http://www.heathrow.com/company/company-news-and-information/airports-commission/our-proposal|title=Airports Commission – Heathrow|website=www.heathrow.com}}

On 25 June 2018, the House of Commons voted 415–119 in favour of the third runway.{{cite news |title=Heathrow airport: MPs vote in favour of expansion |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-44609898 |work=BBC News |date=25 June 2018}} The project has received approval from most of the government.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-44357580|title=Cabinet approves new Heathrow runway|date=5 June 2018|work=BBC News}} A judicial review of the decision was launched by four London boroughs affected by the expansion – Wandsworth, Richmond, Hillingdon and Hammersmith & Fulham – in partnership with Greenpeace and London mayor Sadiq Khan.{{cite web|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/uk-news/2018/06/26/heathrow-expansion-plans-approved-for-take-off-after-commons-vote/|title=Heathrow expansion plans approved for take-off after Commons vote|website=www.shropshirestar.com}} Khan had previously said he would take legal action if it were passed by Parliament.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-44561789|title=Heathrow third runway: Sadiq Khan backs legal challenge|date=21 June 2018|work=BBC News}}

On 29 January 2025, after the plans for the third runway were shelved - mainly due to the pandemic, the government backed the expansion and promised to try and cut the red tape that delayed the approval process previously.

In July 2013, the airport submitted three new proposals for expansion to the Airports Commission, which was established to review airport capacity in south-east England. The commission was chaired by Howard Davies who, at the time of his appointment was in the employ of GIC Private Limited and a member of its International Advisory Board. Since 2012, GIC Private Limited has been one of Heathrow's principal owners. Davies resigned these positions upon confirmation of his appointment to lead the Airports Commission, although it has been observed that he failed to identify these interests when invited to complete the commission's register of interests. Each of the three proposals that were to be considered by the Commission involved the construction of a third runway, to either the north, the north-west or the south-west of the current airport site.{{cite news |date=17 July 2013 |title=Heathrow submits third runway options to Davies Commission |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23337754 |work=BBC News |access-date=13 January 2014}}

The Commission released its interim report in December 2013. This shortlisted three options:

• the north-west third runway option at Heathrow
• extending an existing runway at Heathrow
• a second runway at Gatwick Airport

The full report was published on 1 June 2015; this confirmed the north-west runway and a new sixth terminal as the commission's chosen proposal.{{cite web|title=Airports Commission releases final report|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/airports-commission-releases-final-report|website=gov.uk|publisher=Airports Commission|date= 1 July 2015|access-date=31 August 2015}} The Commission estimated the cost as around £18.6 billion; £4 billion higher than Heathrow's own estimate.{{citation |last=Dunn |first=Graham |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/heathrow-gatwick-expansion-costs-under-estimated-davies-405890/ |title=Heathrow, Gatwick expansion costs under-estimated: Davies |work=FlightGlobal |publisher=Reed Business Information |date=11 November 2014 |access-date=11 November 2014 }}

The north-west runway and terminal plan was approved by Government on 25 October 2016. In January 2018, in a public consultation, Heathrow unveiled another option with the new runway {{convert|300|m|yards|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} shorter, to reduce costs from £16.8 billion{{clarify|date=August 2018}} to £14.3 billion. This option would still require the M25 motorway to be diverted to a tunnel under the runway, {{convert|150|m|yards|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} west of its current route.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jan/17/heathrow-third-runway-shorter-cut-costs |title=Heathrow to unveil shorter third runway plan in bid to cut costs |last=Topham |first=Gwyn |newspaper=The Guardian |date=17 January 2018 |access-date=20 February 2018}}

The financing of the expansion has yet to be arranged; Heathrow Airport Holdings' finances are already highly leveraged. In 2017 borrowings were £13.4 billion, with shareholder equity of only £0.7 billion.{{cite news |url=https://www.ft.com/content/98e6b128-7533-11e8-aa31-31da4279a601 |title=Who will pay for Heathrow airport's £14bn third runway? |author=Gill Plimmer, Jonathan Ford |newspaper=Financial Times |date=22 June 2018 |access-date=22 June 2018}}

The principal argument stated in favour of expanding Heathrow is to enhance the economic growth of the UK. As the UK's major hub airport, Heathrow can attract many transfer passengers, and so can support a very wide range of direct flight destinations at high frequencies. It is the world's second busiest airport, based on numbers of international passengers. The government claims that Heathrow's connectivity helps London (and nearby counties) especially compete with other European cities for business investment, which in turn produces economic benefits for the rest of the UK.{{cite web|url=http://www.dft.gov.uk/about/strategy/whitepapers/air/ |title=The Future of Air Transport |date=1 December 2003 |access-date=16 January 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220020142/http://www.dft.gov.uk/about/strategy/whitepapers/air/ |archive-date=20 December 2008 }} Should Heathrow's connectivity decline compared to London's European competitors, the UK would fall behind.

The government's argument is that Heathrow is on the brink of suffering a decline in connectivity. Heathrow's runways are now operating at around 99% capacity, which increases delays when flights are disrupted, and risks competing European airports gaining destinations (at Heathrow's loss). The government estimates that building a third runway would allow Heathrow to increase its connectivity, bringing £5.5bn of economic benefits over the period 2020–2080. However, the British Chambers of Commerce estimated the economic benefits are £30 billion for the UK economy over the same time scale, and has also stated that every year the programme is delayed costs the UK between £900 million and £1.1 billion.{{cite web|url=http://www.britishchambers.org.uk/zones/policy/press-releases_1/a-third-runway-at-heathrow-would-add-30-billion-to-uk-economy-says-new-study.html |access-date=1 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002090844/http://www.britishchambers.org.uk/zones/policy/press-releases_1/a-third-runway-at-heathrow-would-add-30-billion-to-uk-economy-says-new-study.html |title=A third runway at Heathrow would add £30 billion to UK economy, says new study|archive-date=2 October 2011 }}

Some of the capacity added to Heathrow by the new third runway could be used to reinstate or improve flight connections to UK cities. Several cities have seen their connections to Heathrow reduced or lost over recent years as airlines have reallocated the airport's limited capacity to more profitable long-haul flights.{{cite news | url= http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/business/Heathrow-expansion-is-not-just.3799767.jp | title=Heathrow expansion is not just a flight of fancy for Scottish businesses | date=21 February 2008 | work= The Scotsman | access-date=21 February 2009}}{{cite news | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/ukfs_news/hi/newsid_7660000/newsid_7661100/7661141.stm | title=New runway could restore air link | date=9 October 2008 | work= BBC News | access-date=21 February 2009}}

It was suggested that a third runway would increase Heathrow's resilience to disruption, and so reduce emissions from aircraft waiting to land.

Construction was estimated to provide up to 60,000 jobs. Operating the expanded Heathrow was expected to create up to 8,000 new jobs at Heathrow by 2030, with multiplier benefits to West London.

The UK's Brown ministry took the lead in driving forward the expansion of Heathrow. The particular members of that government most closely associated with that drive were the prime minister Gordon Brown and past Transport Secretaries Alistair Darling, Ruth Kelly, Geoff Hoon and Andrew Adonis. Peter Mandelson, the then Business Secretary, also voiced his support for the scheme.{{cite news|url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23601732-mandelson-throws-his-weight-behind-third-heathrow-runway.do|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505090244/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23601732-mandelson-throws-his-weight-behind-third-heathrow-runway.do|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 May 2013|title=Mandelson throws his weight behind third Heathrow runway|newspaper=London Evening Standard|date=15 December 2008|access-date=27 November 2009}}

The majority of the UK Conservative Party leadership including former Chancellor George Osborne were also in favour of expansion.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}

The stance of both Labour and the Conservatives was broadly supported by a number of groups and prominent individuals:

• Aviation sector: including BAA Limited and Flying Matters.
• Airlines: including All Nippon Airways, British Airways, Delta Air Lines, easyJet, Singapore Airlines and Virgin Atlantic.{{cite web|url=http://your.heathrow.com/airlines-board-heathrow-expansion/ |title=Airlines on-board with Heathrow expansion |publisher=your.heathrow.com |date=5 March 2015 |access-date=15 March 2015}}
• Airports: including Glasgow Airport, Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Leeds Bradford Airport, Newcastle International Airport and Aberdeen Airport.{{cite web |url=http://your.heathrow.com/ukairportssupportheathrow/ |title=UK Airports show their support for Heathrow expansion |publisher=your.heathrow.com |date=5 March 2015 |access-date=15 March 2015 |archive-date=20 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150520122142/http://your.heathrow.com/ukairportssupportheathrow/ |url-status=dead }}
• Business organisations: Confederation of British Industry, British Chambers of Commerce{{Cite web|url=http://www.britishchambers.org.uk/6798219244603486884/bcc-reaction-to-heathrow-third-runway-decision.html|title=Reaction to third runway decision|access-date=9 October 2022|archive-date=9 August 2011|archive-url=https://archive.today/20110809191740/http://www.britishchambers.org.uk/6798219244603486884/bcc-reaction-to-heathrow-third-runway-decision.html|url-status=bot: unknown}} and 32 local chambers of commerce, including the London Chamber of Commerce and West London Business.{{cite web |url=http://your.heathrow.com/23-uk-chambers-commerce-voice-heathrow-expansion-support/ |title=32 UK Chambers of Commerce support Heathrow expansion |publisher=your.heathrow.com |date=3 February 2015 |access-date=15 March 2015 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402091226/http://your.heathrow.com/23-uk-chambers-commerce-voice-heathrow-expansion-support/ |url-status=dead }}
• Local authorities: Slough{{cite web |url=http://your.heathrow.com/local-council-slough-announces-support-heathrow/ |title=Local council of Slough announces support for Heathrow |publisher=your.heathrow.com |date=5 March 2015 |access-date=15 March 2015 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402153922/http://your.heathrow.com/local-council-slough-announces-support-heathrow/ |url-status=dead }}
• Manufacturing & freight sector: including the Freight Transport Association, the British International Freight Association, the EEF, Segro and Black & Decker.{{cite web |url=http://mediacentre.heathrow.com/js/ckfinder/userfiles/files/Best%20for%20Britain,%20Backed%20By%20Britain%20(200dpi).pdf |title=Best for Britain, Backed by Britain |publisher=mediacentre.heathrow.com/ |date=5 March 2015 |access-date=16 March 2015 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402133756/http://mediacentre.heathrow.com/js/ckfinder/userfiles/files/Best%20for%20Britain,%20Backed%20By%20Britain%20(200dpi).pdf |url-status=dead }}
• Trade unions: including the GMB Union, Trades Union Congress and Unite the Union.

However, since 21 November 2022, the CEO of Virgin Atlantic Shai Weiss indicated a pause in the company's support for the expansion of Heathrow, announcing support had moved from 'unequivocal' to 'tentative', mentioning Heathrow's increase of passenger charges as a reason.{{Cite web |title=Virgin Atlantic pauses support for Heathrow's third runway |url=https://news.sky.com/story/virgin-atlantic-pauses-support-for-heathrows-third-runway-12752458 |access-date=2022-12-28 |website=Sky News |language=en}}

In May 2007, the British Airports Authority (BAA) and several other companies involved with aviation established Flying Matters to lobby the UK government and generally advocate for the development of the airport following on from a suggestion from Sir Richard Branson of Virgin Atlantic that aviation industry needed to develop a shared solution to climate change. The organisation was created to help demonstrate that the aviation sector was "taking climate change seriously".{{cite news|title=Green travel consortium backs airport expansion|work=Brand Republic|url=http://www.brandrepublic.com/News/672825/Green-travel-consortium-backs-airport-expansion/|access-date=23 December 2007}} In 2009 Greenpeace acquired and published a detailed confidential report into the group activities and plans{{cite web|url=http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/blog/climate/leaked-flying-matters-document-20090213|title=Flying Matters – Leaking lobbying plan|publisher=Greenpeace|access-date=22 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221191300/http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/blog/climate/leaked-flying-matters-document-20090213|archive-date=21 February 2009|url-status=dead}} which claimed that The Department for Transport was independently approaching Flying Matters for support on key issues on the Climate change bill.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/feb/18/aviation-climate-bill|title=Aviation lobbyists enlisted to tackle rebel climate MPs, leaked papers show|work=The Guardian|access-date=4 March 2010 | location=London | first=John | last=Vidal | date=18 February 2009}}

Prior to the 2007 party conferences Flying Matters issued a number of press releases aimed at the Conservative Party which challenged their opposition to the third runway: "Voters in key marginals shun Conservative proposals for higher taxes on air travel", "'Green' holiday tax plan puts Conservatives 6 per cent behind Labour in 30 most important marginals in the Country","Families will be priced out of air travel if Heathrow fails to expand" and "Stopping new runways would cost half a million new UK jobs".{{cite web|url=http://www.flyingmatters.co.uk/templates/press_article.asp?PageID=27 |date=2 September 2007 |title=Voters in key marginals shun Conservative proposals for higher taxes on air travel |access-date=27 March 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080316005615/http://www.flyingmatters.co.uk/templates/press_article.asp?PageID=27 |archive-date=16 March 2008 }} The objectives outlined in the leaked 'draft Strategy and programme for 2009–10' later confirmed that the organisation felt that it was "Essential to help establish a foundation from which the Conservatives could amend their position post election". The organisation's budget for 2008–2009 was £390 thousand.{{cite web|url=http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/files/flyingmatters.pdf|title=Draft Strategy and programme 2009–2010|date=1 January 2009|publisher=Flying Matters|access-date=3 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110506083123/http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/files/flyingmatters.pdf|archive-date=6 May 2011|url-status=dead}}

{{Main|Lobbying in the United Kingdom}}

The aviation sector had close links with political decision makers which many players moving between roles through the controversial 'revolving door'. For example: Joe Irvin was advisor to John Prescott from 1996 and 2001 (Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions as well as Deputy Prime Minister) before working for various element of the aviation lobby and becoming head of corporate affairs at BAA in 2006 before he became 'Special Advisor' to Gordon Brown in 2007 when he became prime minister.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/pandora/tories-try-to-rubbish-gordons-next-bag-man-446102.html|title=Tories try to rubbish Gordon's next bag man|work=The Independent|access-date=6 March 2010 | location=London | first=Henry | last=Deedes | date=25 April 2007}}{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} He was succeeded at BAA by Tom Kelly who took the title 'group director of corporate and public affairs' and had been official spokesman for Tony Blair when he was prime minister.

Freedom to Fly was formed during the preparation phase of the "Future of Aviation white paper 2003" by BAA and others{{cite web|url=http://www.baa.com/assets/B2CPortal/Static%20Files/royal_aeronautical_society.pdf|title=Royal Aeronautical Society – The Aviation White Paper: can we deliver airport capacity sustainably?|access-date=4 March 2010|archive-date=6 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110506083124/http://www.baa.com/assets/B2CPortal/Static%20Files/royal_aeronautical_society.pdf|url-status=dead}} It was 'fronted' by Joe Irvin, a former political adviser to John Prescott{{cite web|url=http://www.hacan.org.uk/news/press_releases.php?id=18|title=New freedom to fly campaign an 'industry front'...|publisher=Halcan|access-date=4 March 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070710230232/http://www.hacan.org.uk/news/press_releases.php?id=18|archive-date=10 July 2007}} who subsequently became Director of Public Affairs at BAA Limited{{cite web|url=http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news06/282-JoeIrvin.shtml|title=Joe Irvin to join BAA as Public Affairs Director|access-date=4 March 2010}} Their director, Dan Hodges, is the son of Glenda Jackson, Labour MP and former Aviation Minister.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2007/jun/29/flyingtooclose|title=Flying to close|work=The Guardian|access-date=4 March 2010 | location=London | first=Joss | last=Garman | date=29 June 2007}}

Environmental objections have included that the increased {{CO2}} emissions caused by the additional flights will add to global warming.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2007/nov/08/travelandtransport.climatechange?gusrc=rss&feed=networkfront |work=The Telegraph |date=13 August 2007 |access-date=23 December 2007 |title=Campaign to stop Heathrow expansion takes to the roads | location=London | first=Alison | last=Benjamin}} They have argued that claimed economic benefits would be more than wiped out by the cost of the {{CO2}} emissions. The government estimated that a third runway would generate an extra 210.8 Mt (million tons) {{CO2}} annually, but in cost-benefits analysis costs this at £13.33 per ton using 2006 prices, giving a 2020–2080 "cost" of £2.8bn.{{cite web|url=http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/aviation/heathrowconsultations/heathrowdecision/impactassessment/ia.pdf |archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100209050033/http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/aviation/heathrowconsultations/heathrowdecision/impactassessment/ia.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 February 2010 |title=Adding Capacity at Heathrow Airport Impact Assessment |publisher=Department for Transport |date=January 2009 |access-date=16 January 2009 }} This is a small fraction of the government's own official estimate of the cost of carbon, which rises from £32.90 in 2020 to £108.20 in 2080 (in 2007 prices).{{cite web|url=http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/research/carboncost/pdf/HowtouseSPC.pdf|title=How to use the Shadow Price of Carbon in policy appraisal|publisher=DEFRA|date=December 2007|access-date=16 January 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206061952/http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/research/carboncost/pdf/HowtouseSPC.pdf|archive-date=6 December 2008}} If these figures are used, the carbon cost of the third runway alone rises to £13.3bn (2006 prices), enough to wipe out the economic benefits.{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/jan/16/heathrow-third-runway | work=The Guardian | location=London | title=Government accused of 'fantasy economics' over Heathrow expansion | first=Dan | last=Milmo | date=16 January 2009 | access-date=2 May 2010}} However, the British Chambers of Commerce released a report stating the economic benefits as £30 billion over the same time scale, considerably more than the carbon cost of the expansion.

The World Development Movement has claimed that the proposed additional flights from Heathrow's third runway would emit the same amount of {{CO2}} as the whole of Kenya.{{cite web|url=http://www.wdm.org.uk/news/flightsfromheathrow21112007.htm |title=Flights from Heathrow's third runway will emit same amount of CO2 as Kenya |access-date=12 January 2008 |date=21 November 2007 |publisher=World Development Movement |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071204010222/http://www.wdm.org.uk/news/flightsfromheathrow21112007.htm |archive-date=4 December 2007 |url-status=dead }} However, the then Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly stated that carbon emissions would not actually rise overall in the environment, since carbon trading would be used to ensure that these increases from Heathrow are offset by reductions elsewhere in the economy.{{cite news |title=Airlines to make billions from CO₂ trade |url=http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/transport/article2980672.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090708200246/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/transport/article2980672.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 July 2009 |date=1 December 2007 |work=The Times |first=Ben |last=Webster | location=London}}

File:Stop Heathrow Expansion Placard in Harmondsworth.jpg

Some 700 homes, a church and eight Grade II-listed buildings would have to be demolished or abandoned, the high street in Harmondsworth split, a graveyard "bulldozed" and the "entire village of Sipson could disappear".{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4731948.stm |work=BBC News |date=21 February 2006 |access-date=23 December 2007 |title=Village faces being wiped off map | first=Margaret | last=Ryan}} John McDonnell, MP for Hayes and Harlington, suggested in 2007 that up to 4,000 houses would actually have to be demolished or abandoned, but aviation minister Jim Fitzpatrick defended the plans, saying anyone evicted from their home as a result of expansion would be fully compensated.{{cite web |work=This Is London |date=13 December 2007 |access-date=23 December 2007 |title=Public 'misled' on number of homes lost for Heathrow |url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23427164-details/Public+%27misled%27+on+number+of+homes+lost+for+Heathrow/article.do |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071216081216/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23427164-details/Public+'misled'+on+number+of+homes+lost+for+Heathrow/article.do |archive-date=16 December 2007 |url-status=dead }} BAA has committed to preserving the Grade I-listed parish church and Great Barn at Harmondsworth, and has given assurances that the value of properties affected by a possible third runway will be protected.{{cn|date=October 2022}}

Building a third runway at Heathrow would expose hundreds of thousands of residents in London and Berkshire to sustained high levels of aircraft noise for the first time.{{cite web |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/third-runway-noise-will-hit-north-london-6619847.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022090249/http://www.standard.co.uk/news/third-runway-noise-will-hit-north-london-6619847.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 October 2012 |work=This Is London |date=23 November 2007 |access-date=23 December 2007 |title=Third runway noise will hit North London}}

• There are alternatives to a third runway that maintain London's connectivity (see below).
• Reductions in emissions caused by fewer aircraft delays (a buffer of spare capacity) and a few fewer flights from some regional airports would be dwarfed by the increased emissions from the additional flights serving Heathrow, as reflected by the promise to open up many airports not currently connected which will now connect to the UK.
• Job creation claims are invalid. If the money supporting the new jobs generated by a third runway was not spent at an expanded Heathrow, it would be spent elsewhere in the economy.{{cite web|url=http://www.hacan.org.uk/resources/reports/4504.final.report.pdf|title=The economics of Heathrow expansion|publisher=CE Delft|date=February 2008|access-date=16 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080723165410/http://www.hacan.org.uk/resources/reports/4504.final.report.pdf|archive-date=23 July 2008|url-status=dead}}

Image:LHR_runway_3_nat._aviation_policy_25_June_2018_division_of_local_MPs.png

Three House of Commons-represented political parties, many advocacy groups, associations and prominent people are publicly opposed to expansion. Notably:

• Plaid Cymru (including its five MPs at the time of the June 2018 vote on whether to approve the National Policy Statement)[https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2018-06-25/division/8A2B2442-17BD-44C7-A19E-9FDB5A9FE7B9/NationalPolicyStatementAirports?outputType=Party Hansard 25 June 2018] Division 192: National Policy Statement: Airports
• The Liberal Democrats (including thus all 11 MPs at the June 2018 vote, however it gained six MPs from defections of which five voted for expansion in 2018).{{cite web |url=http://www.libdems.org.uk/news_detail.aspx?title=Heathrow_expansion_will_lose_UK_billions_says_Kramer__&pPK=19c3ff49-f8f8-42b0-8627-095abc74b41a |title=Heathrow expansion will lose UK billions says Kramer |publisher=Libdems.org.uk |date=7 December 2009 |access-date=12 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203005557/http://www.libdems.org.uk/news_detail.aspx?title=Heathrow_expansion_will_lose_UK_billions_says_Kramer__&pPK=19c3ff49-f8f8-42b0-8627-095abc74b41a |archive-date=3 December 2013 }}
• The Green Party (including its MP).{{cite web|url=http://www.greenparty.org.uk/news/heathrow-go-ahead-ignorance-and-stupidity.html |title=Heathrow go-ahead: "ignorance and stupidity" |publisher=Green Party |date=15 January 2009 |access-date=12 July 2013}}
• {{frac|28|46}} of London Labour MPs: Rosena Allin-Khan, Diane Abbott, Dawn Butler, Lyn Brown, Karen Buck, Ruth Cadbury, Jeremy Corbyn, Marsha De Cordova, Jon Cruddas, John Cryer, Janet Daby, Emma Dent Coad, Clive Efford, Barry Gardiner, Helen Hayes, Kate Hoey, Rupa Huq, Sarah Jones, Shadow chancellor John McDonnell, Kate Osamor, Teresa Pearce, Matthew Pennycook, Steve Reed, Ellie Reeves, Andy Slaughter, Keir Starmer, Emily Thornberry, Catherine West{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7830937.stm | work=BBC News | title=MP suspended after mace protest | date=15 January 2009 | access-date=2 May 2010}}
• {{frac|6|19}} of London Conservative MPs: Bob Blackman, Zac Goldsmith,{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/10/25/zac-goldsmith-quits-as-tory-mp-for-richmond-park-over-heathrow-a/|title=Zac Goldsmith immediately quits as Tory MP for Richmond Park in protest over Heathrow expansion|date=25 October 2016|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=22 November 2016}} Justine Greening, Greg Hands, Matthew Offord, and Theresa Villiers. The 2018 vote drew five absences/abstentions from others in the nineteen.
• Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London,{{cite web|url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/west-london-news/sadiq-khan-stands-ground-oppose-11317874 | title=Sadiq Khan stands his ground to OPPOSE Heathrow third runway – after airport CEO said new plan could persuade him | date=11 May 2016 | access-date=10 August 2016}} and his predecessors, Boris Johnson{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuxG7V25NRA |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/MuxG7V25NRA |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|title=Boris Johnson on Heathrow |publisher=YouTube |date=2 April 2008 |access-date=12 July 2013}}{{cbignore}} and Ken Livingstone.
• International campaign groups criticising expansion of fossil-fuel powered passenger aviation (foremost group: Plane Stupid) and local anti-aviation impacts groups (foremost group: Hacan ClearSkies).{{cite web |title=A voice for those under Heathrow flightpaths |url=https://hacan.org.uk/ |work=hacan.org.uk}}
• 24 local authorities (including the London Borough of Hillingdon){{cite web |url=http://www.hillingdon.gov.uk/index.jsp?articleid=16683 |title=London Borough of Hillingdon – Residents |publisher=Hillingdon.gov.uk |access-date=12 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120830231842/http://www.hillingdon.gov.uk/index.jsp?articleid=16683 |archive-date=30 August 2012 |url-status=dead }}
• Environmental campaign groups: Greenpeace,{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/jan/28/heathrow-third-runway-greenpeace | work=The Guardian | location=London | title=Greenpeace plans to build fortress on Heathrow runway site | first=Matthew | last=Taylor | date=28 January 2010 | access-date=2 May 2010}} RSPB,{{cite web|url=http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/details.asp?id=tcm:9-208021 |title=Heathrow – The wrong decision at the wrong time |work=rspb.org.uk |date=8 July 2013 |access-date=12 July 2013}} Friends of the Earth{{cite web|url=http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/climate/case_studies/heathrow.html |access-date=8 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100128010738/http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/climate/case_studies/heathrow.html |title=London Heathrow Airport|archive-date=28 January 2010 }} and WWF{{cite web|url=http://www.wwf.org.uk/news_feed.cfm?uNewsID=2608 |title=WWF challenges Heathrow expansion plan |work=Wwf.org.uk |date=15 January 2009 |access-date=12 July 2013}}
• The National Trust{{cite web |url=http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-global/w-news/w-news-further_news/w-news-trust_speaks_out_against_heathrow.htm |title=News |publisher=National Trust |date=25 May 2013 |access-date=12 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107020311/http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-global/w-news/w-news-further_news/w-news-trust_speaks_out_against_heathrow.htm |archive-date=7 January 2012 }}
• Developmental charities: Oxfam,{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/jan/15/heathrow-third-runway3 | work=The Guardian | location=London | title=Advisers, activists and scientists join forces to oppose Heathrow expansion | first=John | last=Vidal | date=15 January 2009 | access-date=2 May 2010}} Christian Aid{{cite web |url=http://www.christianaid.org.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/Index/third-Heathrow-runway-massive-step-backwards.aspx |title=Third Heathrow runway a 'massive step backwards' |publisher=Christian Aid |date=28 February 2012 |access-date=12 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029000202/http://www.christianaid.org.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/Index/third-Heathrow-runway-massive-step-backwards.aspx |archive-date=29 October 2012 |url-status=dead }}

File:Plane Stupid on Palace of Westminster.jpg activists on the roof of the Palace of Westminster in 2008 complaining about BAA's close links with government]]

File:Anti Heathrow expansion protesters 1.JPG's opening hundreds of protesters descended on Heathrow in red Stop Heathrow Expansion T-shirts. The protest was kept out of the news by Terminal 5's opening day baggage system problem.]]

Various methods were proposed and adopted in attempt to halt expansion:

The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats opposed construction and cancelled expansion when elected in the 2010 general election.

In August 2007, the Camp for Climate Action took place within a mile of Heathrow. The camp ran for a week and on its final day some 1000–1400 people protested and 200 people blockaded British Airports Authority HQ.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6954428.stm|title=Campaigners leave Heathrow camp|date=20 August 2008|work=BBC News|access-date=5 March 2008}} Before the camp BAA requested the "mother of all injunctions" which could have restricted the movements of 5 million people from 15 different organisations, including the RSPB, Greenpeace, the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England, the Woodland Trust, Friends of the Earth, and the National Trust.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/joy-for-protesters-as-heathrow-is-denied-mother-of-all-injunctions-460565.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080522155129/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/joy-for-protesters-as-heathrow-is-denied-mother-of-all-injunctions-460565.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 May 2008|title=Joy for protesters as Heathrow is denied 'mother of all injunctions'|work=The Independent|date= 7 August 2007|access-date=4 March 2008| location=London| first=Jonathan| last=Brown}}{{cite news

|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6932519.stm|title=BAA wins Heathrow protesters ban|work=BBC News Online|date=6 August 2007|access-date=4 March 2008}} The injunction would technically have included the Queen; patron of the RSPB and CPRE, Prince Charles; in his position as President of the National Trust, and even some of BAA's own staff.{{cite web|url=http://www.politics.co.uk/news/opinion-former-index/environment-and-rural-affairs/baa-wins-ban-against-climate-change-activists-$476907.htm|title=BAA wins ban against climate change activists|date=6 August 2007|access-date=4 March 2008|archive-date=19 August 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070819033842/http://www.politics.co.uk/news/opinion-former-index/environment-and-rural-affairs/baa-wins-ban-against-climate-change-activists-$476907.htm|url-status=dead}}

In February 2008, five members of Plane Stupid who have resisted expansion throughout the process staged a 2-hour protest on the roof of the Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament) in protest at the close links between BAA and the government.{{cite news | work = The Independent | title = Anti-airport protesters scale Parliament's roof | url =https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/antiairport-protesters-scale-parliaments-roof-788107.html | access-date=27 February 2008| location=London| date=27 February 2008}} Two large banners were unfurled which read "BAA HQ" and "No 3rd runway at Heathrow".{{cite news | work = BBC News | title = Parliament rooftop protest ends | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7266512.stm | access-date=20 February 2009 | date=27 February 2008}}

In April 2008, Plane Stupid claimed that their group was infiltrated by Toby Kendall, 24, an employee of C2i International. The Times reported that he had gone undercover in the group using the name of "Ken Tobias." Airport operator, BAA, who have often been a target of Plane Stupid's campaign, confirmed to The Times that they had been in contact with C2i International but denied ever hiring the company.{{cite web |url=http://www.planestupid.com/?q=content/industrial-espionage-agency-targeted-heathrow-protestors-8th-april-2008 |title=Industrial espionage agency targeted Heathrow protestors – 8 April 2008 |access-date=13 April 2008

}}{{cite news |url=http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/transport/article3701838.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517045412/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/transport/article3701838.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 May 2008 |title=Spy caught by anti-aviation group was 'more Austin Powers than 007' |work=The Times

|access-date=13 April 2008| location=London| first=Ben| last=Webster| date=8 April 2008}} C2i offered their clients "The ability to operate effectively and securely in a variety of hostile environments".{{cite web|url=http://c2i-response.com/home.html|title=C2i International Limited|publisher=C21 International Limited|quote="'C2i International Limited is a highly professional, structured and integrated security organisation with the capacity to draw upon a breadth and depth of expertise co-ordinated to provide our clients with maximum security at all times.' (taken from the 'about us' page)"|access-date=27 March 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100910014311/http://c2i-response.com/home.html|archive-date=10 September 2010}} and at the time listed 'aerospace' at the top of a list of industries for which it worked.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2008/apr/09/activists.travelandtransport|title=Mystery over who hired mole to dig dirt on Plane Stupid's environment activists|work=The Guardian|access-date=10 March 2016 |date=8 April 2008}}

File:Airplotcert.svg issued by Greenpeace in respect of the Airplot at Sipson.]]

In January 2009, Greenpeace and partners (including actress Emma Thompson and impressionist Alistair McGowan) bought a piece of land on the site of the proposed third runway called Airplot.{{cite web |author=This is the best meal of my life 2 |url=http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/blog/climate/join-plot-stop-airport-expansion-20090112 |title=Join the plot to stop airport expansion | Greenpeace UK |publisher=Greenpeace.org.uk |date=21 December 2011 |access-date=12 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605210806/http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/blog/climate/join-plot-stop-airport-expansion-20090112 |archive-date=5 June 2013 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7825169.stm | work=BBC News | title=Protesters buy up Heathrow land | date=13 January 2009 | access-date=2 May 2010}} Their aim is to maximise the opportunities to put legal obstacles in the way of expansion. Although this action is similar to the tactics first employed in the early 1980s by FoE with the 'Alice's Meadow' campaign; it differs in that it relies on the concept of multiple beneficial ownership rather than the division of the field into microplots. The field was bought for an undisclosed sum from a local land owner.{{cite web|url=http://news.uk.msn.com/uk/article.aspx?cp-documentid=12726578&icid=toptodayuk |title=Celebs buy Heathrow expansion land|access-date=16 January 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090607045933/http://news.uk.msn.com/uk/article.aspx?cp-documentid=12726578&icid=toptodayuk |archive-date=7 June 2009 }} Also in January, Climate Rush staged a "picnic protest" at Heathrow airport against the construction of the third runway. Hundreds of people attended the protest, dressed in Edwardian period dress. In the same month the glass doors of the Department for Transport were also broken by members of the organisation.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/4273492/Heathrows-protesters-bridge-the-class-divide.html?mobile=basic|title=Heathrow's protesters bridge the class divide|author=Harry de Quetteville|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=17 January 2009 | location=London}}

In March 2009, senior MPs demanded a Commons investigation into evidence of a "revolving door" policy between Downing Street, Whitehall and BAA Limited (BAA is a major UK airport operator).{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/jan/18/heathrow-third-runway|title=Fury at airport lobby links to No 10|work=The Guardian|access-date=4 March 2010 | location=London | first=Toby | last=Helm | date=18 January 2009}}

Also in March 2009, Plane Stupid protester Leila Deen threw green custard over Business Secretary Lord Mandelson at a low carbon summit hosted by Gordon Brown, in protest at the frequent meetings between Roland Rudd, who represents airport operator BAA, and Mandelson and other ministers in the run-up to Labour's decision to go ahead with plans for a third runway at Heathrow.{{cite web|url=http://www.planestupid.com/blogs/2009/03/2/peter-mandelson-yachtgate-20|title=Peter Mandelson: Yachtgate 2.0|publisher=Plane Stupid|access-date=6 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305090226/http://www.planestupid.com/blogs/2009/03/2/peter-mandelson-yachtgate-20|archive-date=5 March 2009|url-status=dead}}

Hounslow Council examined the possibility of legal action to prevent expansion, with the support of other London councils and the mayor (Boris Johnson).{{cite web |url=http://www.hounslow.gov.uk/news_mod_home/news_mod_year/news_mod_month/news_mod_show?year1=2009&month1=1&NewsID=36138 |title=undefined |publisher=Hounslow.gov.uk |access-date=12 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218084522/http://www.hounslow.gov.uk/news_mod_home/news_mod_year/news_mod_month/news_mod_show?year1=2009&month1=1&NewsID=36138 |archive-date=18 February 2012 }}

In February 2010, The Daily Telegraph reported that the Department for Transport was being investigated by the Information Commissioner's Office and could face a criminal investigation over allegations that it may have deleted or concealed emails to prevent them from being disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The investigation followed a complaint by Justine Greening MP.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/7181879/DfT-could-face-criminal-investigation-over-Heathrow-airport.html|title=DfT could face criminal investigation over Heathrow airport|work=The Telegraph | location=London | first=Myra | last=Butterworth | date=7 February 2010 | access-date=2 May 2010}}

In March 2010 campaigners "won a High Court battle" when Lord Justice Carnwath ruled that the government's policy support for a third runway would need to be looked at again, and called for a review "of all the relevant policy issues, including the impact of climate change policy". The Department for Transport vowed to "robustly defend" the third runway plan.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8588220.stm|title=Heathrow third runway opponents win court challenge |work=BBC News|access-date=26 March 2010 | date=26 March 2010}} Following the announcement, Gordon Brown, the prime minister, said it was the right decision, that it was "vital not just to our national economy, but enables millions of citizens to keep in touch with their friends and families" and that the judgement would not change its plans. Shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers said that the ruling meant "Labour's flagship transport policies were in complete disarray".{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8589297.stm|title=Heathrow ruling will not change plans, say ministers|work=BBC News|date=26 March 2010|access-date=26 March 2010}}

On 6 August 2018, lawyers for Friends of the Earth filed papers at the High Court asking for the Airports National Policy Statement (NPS) to be quashed. Friends of the Earth argues that the Airports NPS constitutes a breach of the UK's climate change policy and its sustainable development duties.{{cite web |url=https://www.planningportal.co.uk/news/article/579/planning_news_-_16_august_2018 |title=Campaigners challenge Heathrow NPS in the High Court |publisher=Planning Portal |date=16 August 2018 |access-date=10 September 2018 |archive-date=11 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211052817/https://www.planningportal.co.uk/news/article/579/planning_news_-_16_august_2018 |url-status=dead }}

The main suggested alternatives to Heathrow expansion included:

• greater use of regional airports in the UK
• a new airport elsewhere
• greater use of rail travel (including on the proposed High Speed 2 line) to reduce domestic flights

The United Kingdom has a number of regional airports, which it had been argued can be utilised further to reduce the airport capacity strain on South East England and benefit the whole of the United Kingdom. The 2003 Aviation White Paper mainly argued that increased use of regional airports would increase airport capacity in South East England; and the 2010 coalition government concurred with this view.{{Cite news |title=Aviation: regional airports |url=http://www.parliament.uk/briefing-papers/SN00323 |work=Parliament.co.uk |date=25 July 2012 |access-date=7 September 2012}} Politicians proposing this plan included Theresa Villiers{{Cite news |title=UK hopes to boost regional airports |last=Tighe |first=Chris |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/579aff2c-c78c-11e1-a850-00144feab49a.html#axzz25oB1aHNv |newspaper=Financial Times |date=15 July 2012 |access-date=7 September 2012}} and John Leech.{{Cite news |title=Give Manchester its share of the jobs and wealth. Oppose a third Heathrow runway. |url=http://johnleechmp.wordpress.com/2012/09/06/give-manchester-its-share-of-the-jobs-and-wealth-oppose-a-third-heathrow-runway/ |date=6 September 2012 |access-date=7 September 2012}} Business leaders to back the plan include bosses at Birmingham and Cardiff Airports.{{Cite news |title=Call to develop Cardiff Airport as regional hub |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-18576760 |date=25 June 2012 |access-date=7 September 2012 |work=BBC News}}{{Cite news |title=Birmingham Airport calls for focus on regions |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18575260 |work=BBC News |date=25 June 2012 |access-date=7 September 2012}}{{Cite news |title=Letters – Airport capacity |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/letters/9134889/The-challenges-of-attempting-to-legalise-same-sex-marriage.html |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=11 March 2012 |access-date=7 September 2012 |location=London}} The CEO of Manchester Airports Group, the largest British-owned operator of airports and member of the influential Aviation Foundation along with Virgin Atlantic, British Airways and BAA Limited, has also proposed greater use of regional airports.{{Cite news |title='Government must put Manchester Airport at core of aviation policy' says Manchester Airport Groups boss |url=http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/business/s/1581925_government-must-put-manchester-airport-at-core-of-aviation-policy-says-manchester-airport-groups-boss |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |date=26 June 2012 |access-date=7 September 2012 |archive-date=4 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704153054/http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/business/s/1581925_government-must-put-manchester-airport-at-core-of-aviation-policy-says-manchester-airport-groups-boss |url-status=dead }}

A number of airline bosses expressed their dissatisfaction at the over-emphasis on the South East in aviation policy. Laurie Berryman of Emirates Airlines said in 2013 that "The business community doesn't want to come to Heathrow or the South East. They would rather fly long-haul from their local airport."{{cite web |title=The interview: Laurie Berryman, Emirates |url=http://buyingbusinesstravel.com/feature/1821101-interview-laurie-berryman-emirates |work=buyingbusinesstravel.com |date=18 July 2013}} A number of airlines have filled in the gap when British Airways have left regional airports over the past decade.{{Cite news |title=Emirates Makes Manchester Mideast Hub, Challenging BA's Heathrow Strategy |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-21/emirates-makes-manchester-mideast-hub-as-ba-sticks-to-heathrow.html |work=Bloomberg |date=21 March 2011 |access-date=30 July 2013}}

Another major issue at regional airports was "leakage", or passengers who need to get connecting flights from a regional airport to an international airport. Manchester Airport is by far the busiest and largest airport outside South East England, with two runways. Four million passengers – about 20% of all passengers – need to fly from Manchester to London to get connecting long-haul flights abroad. Likewise, many more millions fly from other regional airports to connecting flights in London. Advocates argue that flying to international destinations directly from regional airports would immediately create more airport capacity in the South East at a fraction of the cost and time of having a build a new runway or airport. Furthermore, numerous regional airports are underused, and need no immediate expense to take on more passengers. Manchester is the only airport in the United Kingdom other than Heathrow to have two runways and is severely under capacity: Manchester carries 20 million passengers, but has the capacity to carry at least 50 million.{{cite news |title=Choose Manchester to improve UK's airport capacity |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/choose-manchester-to-improve-uks-airport-capacity-8368796.html |newspaper=The Independent |date=29 November 2012 |access-date=30 November 2012 |location=London |first=Ed |last=Cox}}

Proponents of this idea also suggest the new High Speed 2 network will be vital to the success of regional airports in the future. HS2 will link the three airports of Birmingham, Manchester and East Midlands with London.{{Cite news |title=Manchester Airport may be high-speed rail network hub |url=http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/transport/s/1410661_manchester_airport_may_be_highspeed_rail_network_hub |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |date=13 March 2011 |access-date=7 September 2012 |archive-date=16 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110316215516/http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/transport/s/1410661_manchester_airport_may_be_highspeed_rail_network_hub |url-status=dead }}{{Cite news |title=New 'parkway' station could be built in East Midlands |url=http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/New-parkway-station-built-East-Midlands/story-12238375-detail/story.html |date=3 December 2009 |access-date=7 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120914192133/http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/New-parkway-station-built-East-Midlands/story-12238375-detail/story.html |archive-date=14 September 2012 |url-status=dead }} Furthermore, journey times will be competitive: a journey from London Euston to Birmingham Airport will be less than 50 minutes, and to Manchester about 65 minutes – in comparison, the Heathrow Express service to London Paddington takes 15 minutes. Currently rail links exist from London Euston to Birmingham International which takes about 70 minutes, whilst journeys to Manchester take over two hours with a change required at Manchester Piccadilly. It was hoped airlines would create a "north-south hub" with more flights from Manchester, with passengers who live or work in London being only an hour away from the airport – thus spreading demand to regional airports and creating more international hub capacity in the South East.{{Cite news |title=Emirates Makes Manchester Mideast Hub, Challenging BA's Heathrow Strategy |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-21/emirates-makes-manchester-mideast-hub-as-ba-sticks-to-heathrow.html |work=Bloomberg |date=21 March 2011 |access-date=8 September 2012}}

{{Main|Thames Estuary Airport}}

Since the 1970s, there have been various proposals to complement or replace Heathrow by a new airport in the Thames Estuary.{{cite web|url=http://www.historyandpolicy.org/policy-papers/papers/maplin-the-treasury-and-londons-third-airport-in-the-1970s|title=Maplin: the Treasury and London's third airport in the 1970s|last=Needham|first=Duncan|date=27 October 2014|website=History & Policy|access-date=21 July 2016}} This would have the advantage of avoiding flights taking off and landing over London, with all the accompanying noise and pollution,{{cite journal|author=Halcrow Group Ltd. |title=Development of Airport Capacity in the Thames Estuary |date=December 2003 |url=http://www.dft.gov.uk/about/strategy/whitepapers/air/docs/lopmentofairportcapacity5669.pdf |access-date=17 January 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090718124731/http://www.dft.gov.uk/about/strategy/whitepapers/air/docs/lopmentofairportcapacity5669.pdf |archive-date=18 July 2009 }} and would avoid destroying homes, nature and amenity land on the western edge of London.{{cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article2925884.ece|title=Problem: Heathrow's in the wrong place|first=Kit|last=Malthouse|date=23 November 2007 |work=The Times |access-date=17 January 2009 | location=London}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} In November 2008, the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, announced a feasibility study into building an airport on an artificial island off the Isle of Sheppey.{{cite journal|author=Mayor of London|author-link=Mayor of London|title=International engineer to advise Mayor on Thames Airport feasibility|date=11 November 2008|publisher=Mayor of London|url =http://www.london.gov.uk/view_press_release.jsp?releaseid=19638|access-date=17 January 2009}}

Critics pointed variously to the construction costs, threat to jobs at Heathrow,{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2009/jan/14/travelandtransport-climatechange|title=What about jobs at Heathrow?|first=Brendan|last=Barber|date=14 January 2009 |work=The Guardian|access-date=17 January 2009 | location=London}} and opponents in green ideology as with all expansion cite increased {{CO2}} emissions if more flights are scheduled than at present.{{cite news |url=http://www.greenparty.org.uk/region/easternregion/news/green-party-backs-rspb-call-to-scrap-suggestion-of-thames-estuary-airport.html|title=Green Party backs RSPB call to scrap suggestion of Thames Estuary airport|work=greenparty.org.uk|date=27 November 2008|access-date=17 January 2009 }}

Following an election pledge not to build a third runway, Prime Minister David Cameron was keen to implement the Thames Estuary hub. However, airlines spoke out against plans to partially fund the airport with around £8 billion in landing charges from Heathrow. An aviation review was set for the end of 2012 and Cameron had advised: "I do understand it is vitally important that we maintain the sort of hub status that Britain has. There are lots of different options that can be looked at."{{cite web|url=http://www.airport-int.com/news/plans-to-fund-thames-estuary-airport-cancelled.html|title=Plans to Fund Thames Estuary Airport Cancelled|publisher=Airport International|date=1 August 2012|access-date=1 August 2012|archive-date=4 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120804014813/http://www.airport-int.com/news/plans-to-fund-thames-estuary-airport-cancelled.html|url-status=dead}}

{{Main|High Speed 2}}

The three main parties represented within the UK support a high-speed railway to the north.

• In September 2008, the Conservative opposition proposed such a northern railway and suggested that it would reduce the need for short-haul flights, by encouraging passengers to complete their journey by train instead of flying. By pruning short-haul flights from Heathrow, international flights could increase and so connectivity would be enhanced. The reduction could be 66,430 domestic flights per year, or 30% of the capacity of the third runway.{{cite web|url=http://www.conservatives.com/News/Speeches/2008/09/Theresa_Villiers_Serious_about_going_green.aspx|title=Theresa Villiers: Serious about Going Green|publisher=Conservative Party|date=29 September 2008|access-date=16 January 2009|archive-date=4 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090504235804/http://www.conservatives.com/News/Speeches/2008/09/Theresa_Villiers_Serious_about_going_green.aspx|url-status=dead}}
• In March 2010, in the final months of the Labour government, it published detailed plans for High Speed 2 which would link London with Birmingham and then Scotland, incorporating a new Old Oak Common railway station in West London which would 'improve surface access by rail to Heathrow Airport.'DfT (2009a), page 17 paragraph 41DfT (2009a), pages 12–16 paragraphs 32–37 Some "modal shift " to rail from road and air was expected,DfT (2009a), page 18 paragraph 47 but not for passengers who arrived at Heathrow by air, who were likely to continue to go by air to their UK destination.

• 2016 Richmond Park by-election
• Environmental impact of aviation
• Environmental impact of aviation in the United Kingdom
• Heathrow Airport transport proposals

{{Reflist|group="n"}}

;Documents referenced from 'Notes' section

{{refbegin}}

• {{anchor|Dft2009a}} DfT(2009a): {{cite book|url=http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/pi/highspeedrail/infrastructure/pdf/hs2.pdf|title=Britain's Transport Infrastructure High Speed Two|author=Department for Transport|publisher=Department for Transport|isbn=978-1-906581-80-0|year=2009|access-date=13 March 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100513152949/http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/pi/highspeedrail/infrastructure/pdf/hs2.pdf|archive-date=13 May 2010}}

{{refend}}

;Other references for article

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{Official website}}
• [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7722261.stm BBC NEWS Q&A: A third runway at Heathrow]
• [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/airports-commission-interim-report Airports Commission: interim report], 17 December 2013
• [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/airports-commission-final-report Airports Commission: final report], 1 July 2015

{{Heathrow Airport}}

Category:Heathrow Airport

Category:Heathrow Airport Holdings

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Category:Proposed transport infrastructure in London