The UK Transport Secretary has confirmed that Heathrow Airport Limited’s (HAL’s) proposal will be used as the official scheme to progress the project to implement the airport’s third runway.
The proposal will form the review of the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS), the framework within which the planning decision on expansion at the airport will be officially made, with any amendments to the ANPS set to be subject to consultation in Summer 2026.
A decision was made following requests for further information last month from the two remaining promoters, with the Government subsequently assessing that HAL’s own proposal offers the most feasible delivery option, as well as the strongest likelihood of meeting Government ambitions for a development consent application decision within this parliament.
With the Transport Secretary having committed to the completion of the process three years faster than the production of the policy statement in 2018; any amendments to the ANPS will be consulted on next summer, providing an opportunity for businesses, communities and the aviation sector as a whole to have their say.
Selection of the scheme to inform the remainder of the review does not represent a final decision on either the third runway scheme or design, with any amendments to the ANPS set to be subject to further consultation and parliamentary scrutiny in 2026. Exact details, including the length of the new runway, layout and associated infrastructure implications will be considered throughout the remainder of the ANPS review.
Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander said:Heathrow is our only hub airport which supports trade, tourism and hundreds of thousands of jobs, underpinning prosperity not only in the South East but across the UK.
Today is another important step to enable a third runway and build on these benefits, setting the direction for the remainder of our work to get the policy framework in place for airport expansion. This will allow a decision on a third runway plan this parliament which meets our key tests including on the environment and economic growth.
We’re acting swiftly and decisively to get this project off the ground so we can realise its transformational potential for passengers, businesses, and our economy sooner.
The Government has stated that any and all expansion plans must meet the UK’s climate obligations, as well as balance the delivery of economic growth alongside air quality and noise obligations
The Climate Change Committee will also be consulted on as part of the review in order to ensure that expansion is kept consistent with the emerging net zero framework, with the Transport Secretary having written to the committee requesting advice including the role of aviation in achieving the UK’s carbon budgets and inviting feedback on proposed updates to the ANPS to ensure alignment with climate commitments.
The review of the ANPS was first launched last month and aimed to consider airport expansion in light of new environmental and climate obligations, setting out the Government’s criteria for the consideration of future planning applications.
HAL’s scheme has been selected following an intensive assessment of the promoter’s proposals, which determined the offering included expansion plans that are both resilient and efficient.
The Government has stated that, in time, it expects an application for development consent for a Northwest Runway at LHR will be brought forward by the promoter of the scheme (HAL) following a review of the Airports National Policy Statement.
