Labour signals ‘open-minded’ approach to Heathrow third runway
The new Labour government has signalled it is “open-minded” about airport expansion so long as it meets various tests — including on climate — in a move that will open fresh speculation about the revival of Heathrow’s long-delayed third runway. For nearly two decades the expansion of Heathrow has been a hugely fraught political issue as an emblem of the clash between economic growth and attempts to combat climate change. Yet Labour is now forging a pragmatic approach to aviation under which airports will be able to expand their runways if they can meet four specific tests. No runway expansion will be authorised unless it is compatible with meeting Britain’s climate targets, meets noise pollution and air pollution hurdles and provides economic growth across the country. “We are open-minded about any airport looking to expand,” said one senior Labour figure. “But it would have to pass those four tests.” The new government believes the growth of a fledgling market in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) could provide the key to a greener airline industry, despite it costing more than conventional jet fuel. Last week’s King’s Speech included a SAF bill designed to provide subsidies to encourage the growth of that industry. There is not currently any application by Heathrow to build a third runway on its west London site, a scheme that has been hugely controversial for many years. Heathrow bosses remain convinced of the long-term need for a third runway at the UK’s only hub airport, but are far from outlining concrete proposals. CE Thomas Woldbye, who joined the airport in October, has instead prioritised smaller-scale expansion to increase the number of passengers the airport can handle. The airport believes it can raise passenger numbers from 80mn to 100mn before it requires a new runway — although it thinks one will be needed in the long term.<br/>
https://portal.staralliance.com/cms/news/hot-topics/2024-07-23/general/labour-signals-2018open-minded2019-approach-to-heathrow-third-runway
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Labour signals ‘open-minded’ approach to Heathrow third runway
The new Labour government has signalled it is “open-minded” about airport expansion so long as it meets various tests — including on climate — in a move that will open fresh speculation about the revival of Heathrow’s long-delayed third runway. For nearly two decades the expansion of Heathrow has been a hugely fraught political issue as an emblem of the clash between economic growth and attempts to combat climate change. Yet Labour is now forging a pragmatic approach to aviation under which airports will be able to expand their runways if they can meet four specific tests. No runway expansion will be authorised unless it is compatible with meeting Britain’s climate targets, meets noise pollution and air pollution hurdles and provides economic growth across the country. “We are open-minded about any airport looking to expand,” said one senior Labour figure. “But it would have to pass those four tests.” The new government believes the growth of a fledgling market in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) could provide the key to a greener airline industry, despite it costing more than conventional jet fuel. Last week’s King’s Speech included a SAF bill designed to provide subsidies to encourage the growth of that industry. There is not currently any application by Heathrow to build a third runway on its west London site, a scheme that has been hugely controversial for many years. Heathrow bosses remain convinced of the long-term need for a third runway at the UK’s only hub airport, but are far from outlining concrete proposals. CE Thomas Woldbye, who joined the airport in October, has instead prioritised smaller-scale expansion to increase the number of passengers the airport can handle. The airport believes it can raise passenger numbers from 80mn to 100mn before it requires a new runway — although it thinks one will be needed in the long term.<br/>
