The Standard
Jonathan Prynn
08 October 2024
A colossal battle is brewing over the future of London’s airports as Labour prepares to rule on a wave of expansion plans that could add “another Heathrow” to the capital’s aviation capacity.
Five of the capital’s six airports are pressing ahead or considering proposals to massively increase their ability to handle flights and passengers, including new runways at Gatwick and Heathrow and a new terminal at Luton.
Two, at Stansted and London City, have already got the go-ahead from ministers, while two more, at Gatwick and Luton, are still in the planning process and waiting for sign-off.
The biggest and most controversial scheme of all, the £14 billion third runway proposal for Heathrow, is officially “under review” internally following the massive slump in international travel during the pandemic. But industry insiders think that the unexpectedly strong recovery to above pre-Covid 2019 levels means it is increasingly likely that Heathrow’s chief executive Thomas Woldbye will soon push the button on the project again — triggering another huge campaign of opposition, and presenting Labour with a big dilemma.
Read on: London airport plans could add 'another Heathrow' to capital's aviation capacity | Evening Standard