London Heathrow Airport has celebrated the movement of 7.2 million passengers in September.
The data comes as the Airport states that a ‘growing coalition’ of politicians, businesses, workers, regional airports and airlines have begun backing Heathrow’s long-proposed expansion, which is now currently under consideration with Parliament.
Expansion plans, according to Heathrow, would see the creation of new jobs, trade and investment across ‘every region and nation of the UK’, and the Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement (‘HENPS’), currently being reviewed by Parliament, aims to establish a framework for how the UK can unlock the benefits of the project whilst delivering it responsibly.
Meanwhile, data published by Heathrow has shown that 96% of surveyed passengers flying from Heathrow during the month of September rated their experience as either good or excellent, and elsewhere, cargo traffic rose 5% year-on-year in September.
Necessary Expansion
According to Heathrow, demand for access to the Airport continues to exceed capacity, with over than 40 airlines currently seeking slots. With the airport effectively full, airlines wanting to launch or expand services are instead choosing competing overseas hubs in a move that allegedly reduces opportunities for UK connectivity, trade and growth.
Expanding Heathrow is expected to create capacity for new airlines and routes, increasing competition, passenger choice and potentially lowering fares, while strengthening links between the UK’s regions and global markets.
Local & National Benefits
Support for expansion has also grown as Parliament reviews the HENPS, with trade unions including GMB, Unite and the TUC choosing to back the project due to the expectation of the creation of more than 100,000 jobs and 5,000 apprenticeships, as well as new opportunities for UK supply chains, with the Government estimating the project will require around 400,000 tonnes of steel—approximately a sixth of the UK’s annual production—representing hundreds of millions of GBP of investment in domestic industry.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander recently confirmed that the expansion is compatible with the UK’s commitment to achieve net zero by 2050, whilst major business organisations, including the British Chambers of Commerce and CBI, have also vocally supported the project, highlighting its potential economic benefits nationwide.
Recent polls of more than 9,000 residents across nine local boroughs found 68% support for a third runway, particularly because of the employment and economic opportunities it could create.
Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye said:The debate about whether the UK needs additional hub airport capacity has been settled. Businesses, trade unions, regional airports, airlines and politicians agree that better global connections are critical if the UK is to compete, trade and grow.
Expansion would unlock more than 100,000 jobs, inject £33 billion of private investment, strengthen British supply chains and increase export capacity for companies across the country. It would open the door to new airlines, new destinations and greater choice for consumers.
This is not simply an investment in an airport. It is an investment in the UK’s future competitiveness. At a time when other international hubs continue to grow and attract new routes, this country has an opportunity to strengthen its global connections and unlock growth in every nation and region.
There is now a clear path forward. The private investment is available, the benefits are well understood and the Government has confirmed expansion can be delivered within net zero targets. After decades of discussion, Parliament now has the opportunity to unlock a project that can deliver lasting benefits for generations to come. We are ready to deliver it.
