Story perspectives

Andy Burnham Rejects Immediate Heathrow Third Runway Support

By Drooid · Sep 30, 2026, 2:15 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he will not immediately back a third Heathrow runway.
He said the decision rests with Londoners and their voices.
Heathrow now expects the runway to open in 2039, four years later than earlier plans.
The scheme costs about £33 billion and could create up to 100,000 jobs.
Capacity would rise from 480,000 to 720,000 flights per year, a 50% increase.

History

Historical Context

Heathrow’s second runway opened in 1970, raising annual movements by about 30%. A 2003 white paper and 2009 government review then pushed a third runway, citing £5.5 billion economic gain, but the plan was cancelled in 2010, reinstated by the 2015 Airports Commission and approved by a 415-119 Commons vote in 2018. Today the Department for Transport proposes the expansion amid Labour support and mayoral opposition.

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Story summary

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he will not immediately back a third Heathrow runway.
He said the decision rests with Londoners and their voices.
Heathrow now expects the runway to open in 2039, four years later than earlier plans.
The scheme costs about £33 billion and could create up to 100,000 jobs.
Capacity would rise from 480,000 to 720,000 flights per year, a 50% increase.

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