Heathrow can proceed with plans for 3,500m new runway

LONDON - Heathrow submitted "shovel-ready proposals" for a privately financed third runway, capable of flights taking off within a decade. The "once-in-a-generation" redesign of the runway and terminal system of Europe's biggest aviation hub just received a government nod - and faces British Airways scrutiny.

Heathrow airport can proceed with a 3,500m northwestern runway construction - a concept that already received parliamentary support - and additional infrastructure.

"Heathrow Airport Limited’s third runway proposal will be basis for expansion", the UK Government said in a statement.

The project will unlock capacity "to serve up to 756,000 flights and 150 million passengers" up from an expected 85.1 millionen passengers in 2025, Heathrow said.

Besides the third runway expansion plans include a "brand-new terminal T5X, expanding Terminal 2 and three new satellite terminals".

Total project cost will amount to a rounded 49 billion GBP: 21 billion GBP for the new runway and airfield infrastructure - up from 14 billion GBP in 2018 due to construction inflation - 12 billion GBP for new terminal and stand capacity and 15 billion GBP for modernising the current airport through expanding Terminal 2 and ultimately closing Terminal 3.

Runway construction is expected to start in 2029 and be completed by 2035. The 3,500m runway, favored by Heathrow owners, will require an additional M25 tunnel and new bridges.

Developer Arora Group pitched an alternative 2,800m runway that would not have touched the motorway - a plan that received British Airways support. "I think we should look at ways of potentially building a shorter runway," British Airways CEO Sean Doyle argued at the Airlines 2025 according to the "BBC".

The shorter runway might have cut construction cost in half. Heathrow argues that a longer runway is needed to handle heavy long-haul flights.