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Britain is to lay out its proposals for a third runway at London Heathrow Thursday, launching a public consultation on a big infrastructure project the govt sees as key to its post-Brexit future. The govt backed a US$22b expansion of Heathrow in October to end 25 years of indecision with an ambitious plan to boost global trade links following the vote to leave the EU. A policy statement will set out what planning regulations the proposed runway will need to meet to be approved and outline why Heathrow, on the western edge of London, is the preferred option. "By backing the northwest runway at Heathrow airport and publishing our proposals, we are sending a clear signal that when we leave the EU, we are open for business," Transport secretary Chris Grayling will report. <br/>

Dublin Airport boss Kevin Toland said the constraints on Dublin Airport’s planned new runway would cause an immediate and marked drop in passenger numbers. Toland told the Institute of International and European Affairs that it would be "horrific" and a "huge disaster" if the runway had to open with 2 key operating constraints still in place. These constraints, which are attached to the new runway’s existing planning permission, would restrict the overall number of flights at the airport between 11pm and 7am, and also prohibit use of the new runway before 7 in the morning. The airport currently handles 100 flights during that time period – the new cap would bring that number to 65. According to Toland, annual passenger numbers would fall by 3m immediately in such a scenario. <br/>