Heathrow Unveils $65 Billion Third Runway Initiative
London Heathrow Airport has submitted a comprehensive plan to the UK government for the construction of a third runway and new terminals. The entire $65 billion project will be financed by private investors.
The new 3,500-meter runway aims to increase Heathrow’s annual capacity to 150 million passengers and 756,000 flights. The plan includes the construction of Terminal 5X, three satellite terminals, and the expansion of Terminal 2. Existing Terminal 3 will be closed, and the airport’s central area will undergo a complete redevelopment. Runway and airspace investments are expected to cost $27.9 billion, while terminal and infrastructure expenses will amount to $16 billion.
Additionally, Heathrow plans to modernize its existing infrastructure with a separate $20.7 billion budget. This will prioritize transport systems, logistics networks, and environmentally friendly projects. Investments will focus on green technologies such as Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), electric vehicles, and energy-efficient buildings. The goal is to achieve carbon-neutral operations by 2050.
Construction is expected to begin within the next 10 years. The project is anticipated to create tens of thousands of jobs, enhance the UK’s global aviation competitiveness, and improve regional airport connectivity to Heathrow. The government is expected to make a final decision on the project by September.
It is worth recalling that in 2020, the UK Supreme Court approved the third runway project, overturning a previous ruling by the England and Wales Court of Appeal that had blocked the plan.
