The UK government has endorsed Heathrow Airport’s $43 billion plan for a third runway, but with a significant caveat: The project will only proceed if it aligns with the country’s legally binding climate goals.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said on Tuesday that the plan, including a 3,500-meter runway and a rerouted M25 motorway, can advance to the next development phase.
A planning decision is expected by 2029, with operations to begin by 2035. The expansion would boost Heathrow’s capacity from about 84 million passengers annually to 150 million, with total flights climbing to 756,000 a year.
Climate Questions Loom Large
The UK’s