“An expanded Heathrow could support over 60,000 good local jobs and deliver up to £42 billion in economic benefits,” Reeves said, adding that the consultation represented a key milestone in delivering nationally significant infrastructure.”
The UK Government has taken a significant step towards the expansion of Heathrow Airport with the publication of the draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement, moving the proposed third-runway project into the next stage of the planning process and strengthening ambitions to enhance the country’s global connectivity, trade capacity and economic growth.
The publication has been welcomed by Heathrow Airport, business organisations, trade unions, political representatives and aviation industry stakeholders, who view the project as a critical infrastructure development capable of supporting international trade, boosting regional economies and creating thousands of new jobs.
Expansion Seen as Key to UK Trade and Global Connectivity
Heathrow Chief Executive Officer Thomas Woldbye described the publication of the draft policy statement as an important milestone for the country’s aviation future.
“Britain has often found it difficult to deliver major infrastructure projects in recent years, and this announcement represents genuine progress. The UK cannot fully realise its economic potential without additional capacity at Heathrow, and this marks an important step toward delivering the connectivity and growth opportunities the country needs,” Woldbye said.
He highlighted that Heathrow’s expansion programme would be privately financed and supported by a broad coalition of businesses, trade unions and communities, with the airport’s immediate priority now focused on securing the required planning approvals and advancing the development programme.
The proposed expansion is expected to increase airport capacity, strengthen long-haul connectivity and enhance the movement of both passengers and high-value air cargo, reinforcing Heathrow’s role as one of the world’s leading international aviation and logistics gateways.
Economic Benefits and Job Creation
According to the UK Government, Heathrow’s expansion could generate more than 60,000 local jobs and deliver up to £42 billion in economic benefits, supporting the government’s wider strategy to stimulate long-term national growth.
UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves described the consultation as a major milestone in progressing nationally significant infrastructure and reiterated the government’s commitment to economic expansion.
The project has gained support from regional business groups, including chambers of commerce across England and Scotland, which believe improved airport capacity would create new opportunities for exporters, manufacturers, retailers and supply-chain companies throughout the United Kingdom.
The Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce highlighted Heathrow’s importance as a gateway for UK businesses, noting that expanded capacity would provide stronger international links and generate benefits across regional economies.
Trade Unions and Aviation Industry Back Development
Trade unions including Community and GMB also expressed support for the expansion plans, highlighting Heathrow’s commitments towards domestic supply chains, fair wages, skills development, union recognition and adherence to the UK Steel Charter.
The unions stated that the project has the potential to create tens of thousands of employment opportunities, apprenticeships and training programmes while demonstrating the UK’s ability to successfully deliver major infrastructure projects.
Political leaders from different regions of the UK also emphasised the strategic value of expanded airport capacity. Supporters argued that a third runway would improve access to international markets, strengthen manufacturing and export industries, and maintain critical connectivity for sectors such as Scotland’s whisky and salmon exports, as well as Northern Ireland’s links to the UK’s principal aviation hub.
The wider aviation industry has also welcomed the Government’s move. ACI EUROPE Director General Olivier Jankovec said the decision sends a strong signal supporting Heathrow’s long-term development, adding that increased capacity would enhance the UK’s competitiveness, international investment attractiveness and global aviation position.
Supply Chain Opportunities and Infrastructure Growth
The expansion project is also expected to generate significant opportunities across the aviation supply chain, including engineering, construction, technology and airport infrastructure services.
ATG Airports, a long-term infrastructure partner of Heathrow, said the development would create substantial opportunities for businesses across Greater Manchester and the North-West, allowing regional companies to contribute to one of the UK’s most significant infrastructure programmes.
With the draft National Policy Statement now entering the consultation and planning stages, Heathrow’s expansion has moved closer to becoming one of the most consequential aviation infrastructure projects in Europe, with far-reaching implications for passenger travel, international commerce, air freight capacity and the broader UK economy.
