Heathrow airport’s expansion has moved a step closer after the Government launched a review into how it will consider plans for a third runway.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said her department is committed to making a decision on expansion of the west London airport “within this Parliament”, and has an ambition for flights to take off from a new runway in 2035.
She told the Commons that the Government has started a review of the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS), which will provide the framework for making decisions on airport growth.
Ms Alexander said: “Britain wants to fly, and this Government will act to meet public aspirations.
“Our review of the ANPS will ensure that, while we unlock long-term capacity for more flights at the nation’s only hub airport, we will also meet our obligations to passengers, communities and the environment.”
The reviewed draft ANPS is expected to be published for consultation by summer 2026.
Ms Alexander noted that previous work to launch the ANPS in 2018 under the Conservative government took five years.
She said new environmental and climate obligations since 2018 mean an updated ANPS is necessary to allow a decision to be taken on expansion planning applications.
The Government will seek formal advice from the Climate Change Committee on amendments to the ANPS to “ensure consistency with net-zero commitments”, the Department of Transport said.
The two third runway schemes which remain under active consideration were submitted by the airport’s owners and hotel tycoon Surinder Arora.
They have both been asked to provide further details on their plans, relating to the impacts for investors, affected communities, and businesses.
By the end of November, the Government will announce the single scheme being taken forward to inform the remainder of the ANPS review.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “After decades of false starts, we are backing the builders to get Heathrow’s third runway built, creating thousands of jobs, boosting growth across the UK, and making Britain the world’s best connected place to do business.
“This Government is getting Britain building to kickstart growth and deliver an economy that works for, and rewards, working people.”
