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Heathrow Expansion

Last updated: 12 February 2025

Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye responds to the Government’s strong support for expansion at Heathrow – including a third runway at the UK’s Gateway to Growth: ​

“This privately funded programme will upgrade existing infrastructure while laying the groundwork for a third runway, boosting UK investment and economic growth, with tangible benefits felt this year. Heathrow is proud to answer the Chancellor's call to get Britain building.

A third runway is critical for the country’s future economic success, and I confirm we will submit our plans for a third runway to Government this summer. Ahead of then, as part of a phased expansion programme and supported by the Government’s clear backing, I am today confirming multi-billion-pound investment plans, 100% privately funded, to upgrade our terminal buildings, enhance passenger experience, and improve resilience and sustainability. This is vital investment and will ensure Heathrow remains globally competitive and a jewel in the country’s crown – the UK’s Gateway to Growth”.

Full details of the investment programme, phasing, and the pathway to a third runway will be part of Heathrow’s initial proposals submitted to Government this summer, but plans confirmed on February 12 2025, will include new investment in:  

  • Terminal infrastructure: Heathrow will work with airlines and the regulator to finalise plans to invest in the capacity of Terminal 2 and make changes to optimise and increase passenger capacity in Terminal 5.   
  • Improving customer experience and punctuality: Reconfigure and improve the layout of the airfield, increasing the number of aircraft stands, to improve resilience and punctuality.   
  • Local transport connections and sustainable travel: The investment programme includes plans to further improve bus and coach connections to encourage sustainable and active travel options and benefit our local communities.  
  • Sustainability: New infrastructure will have improved environmental credentials and will use more sustainable sources of power, supporting the ambitious targets set out in Heathrow’s Connecting People and Planet sustainability strategy. 

We are committed to listening and working with our local communities to provide them with the certainty they deserve, ending years of doubt. As requested by the Government, we will present our initial plans by summer.

This project can only go ahead if we meet the rules on noise, air quality and carbon that the Government sets out in the Airports National Policy Statement.

Learn more about Heathrow and its role as the UK's Gateway to Growth.

​Economic Impact Report​

Frontier Economics have analysed the economic impacts of Heathrow expansion. ​Read a summary of their findings in the Economic Impact Report.​

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