The Guardian
Gwyn Topham
26 February 2025
Heathrow CEO calls for third runway guarantees and says plans should not be affected if Gatwick scheme approved
The boss of Heathrow has said there is room for both of London’s biggest airports to expand significantly if the government can guarantee steps to a third runway, with ministers expected to approve Gatwick’s second runway this week.
Thomas Woldbye said Heathrow would be seeking government commitments on the airport’s funding model and changes to airspace before construction of a new runway could start.
Heathrow reported rising annual profits and record passenger numbers on Wednesday and Woldbye said the figures underscored why the airport was a “gateway to growth”.
The company’s pre-tax profits rose 31% to £917m while the number of passengers it served last year rose 6% to a new annual high of 83.9 million.
The airport has set a target of 100 million passengers a year, hoping to reach it through work to reorganise its terminals and airfields. A third runway – which could be open as early as 2035, Woldbye said – could take it to 140 million.
Read on: Room for both Heathrow and Gatwick to expand, says airport boss | Heathrow airport | The Guardian
