A major UK airport is set to confirm a multi-billion-pound investment plan to expand two of its terminals, laying the groundwork for a long-debated third runway. The proposals, which will be submitted to the government this summer, mark a significant step in the airport’s efforts to increase capacity and modernise its infrastructure.
Chief executive Thomas Woldbye will outline plans on Wednesday to enhance two terminals, reconfigure the airfield, and improve transport links, including better bus connections. The upgrades will be privately funded and come in response to growing passenger demand.
The airport in question is Heathrow, the UK’s largest and busiest hub, handling nearly 84 million passengers last year. The investment follows Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ recent backing of a third runway, a move she argues will drive economic growth.
Terminals 2 and 5 will be the focus for the upgrade alongside a new runway.
However, the proposal has faced fierce opposition from environmental groups and some politicians who fear increased air travel will make it harder for the UK to meet its climate commitments.
While details of Heathrow’s third runway proposal are still being finalised, data suggests the project could take more than a decade to complete. The construction of Terminal 5 alone took nearly two decades from initial planning to opening in 2008.
While those in favour hope to see construction begin before 2029, the reality is likely to be more complex. A formal planning process could take up to two years, with potential legal challenges adding further delays. Even if all hurdles are cleared, the runway itself could take seven years to build.
Heathrow’s existing runways already handle around 1,300 landings and take-offs daily, and flight numbers are capped at 480,000 per year. A third runway could increase this limit to 720,000 flights annually.
A third runway could be the key to meeting future demand, but with strong opposition and lengthy bureaucratic hurdles ahead, its fate remains uncertain.