- Heathrow Airport's chief executive, Thomas Woldbye, has warned the hub risks losing its title as Europe's busiest airport due to insufficient capacity.
- Woldbye stressed the 'critical' need for the airport's third runway project to maintain its status and support UK economic growth.
- Key decisions are anticipated this year, including the Department for Transport publishing its draft Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS) outlining airport growth frameworks.
- The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will also determine a long-term model for airport charges, vital for the third runway's investment, with Parliament set to vote on the ANPS in the autumn.
- Last year, Heathrow processed 84.5 million passengers, only marginally more than Istanbul's 84.4 million, indicating its growth is constrained by its two full runways compared to other European rivals.
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