Heathrow: Third runway to benefit "every part of the country"

LONDON - The British government backs plans for a third Heathrow runway. The airport expects the infrastructure project to stimulate growth beyond greater London, "putting the UK back on the map of at the heart of the global economy". Still, not everybody is in favor of the idea.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves signals government support to put a 2019 masterplan for a third runway at Heathrow airport back on the agenda.

"A third runway and the infrastructure that comes with it would unlock billions of pounds of private money to stimulate the UK supply chain during construction," Heathrow airport said. "It would also give airlines and passengers the competitive, resilient hub airport they expect while putting the UK back on the map at the heart of the global economy."

The airport expects "every part of the country" to benefit from added capacity. With 83.9 million passengers through 2024 Heathrow airport surpassed 2019 traffic numbers for the first time since.

Environmental groups and London's mayor Sadiq Khan oppose the third runway citing pollution and noise concerns.