Story perspectives

Heathrow warns £33B investors may pull without runway backing

By Drooid · Oct 14, 2026, 2:34 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Heathrow chief executive Thomas Woldbye warned private investors may withdraw £33 billion without Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s commitment.
Burnham has declined to endorse the third runway, saying the decision depends on consultation and planning.
The scheme costs £33 billion, including £1.5 billion to tunnel the M25 motorway.
Opening has slipped from 2035 to 2039 because of planning and regulatory delays.

History

Historical Context

The 2003 Future of Air Transport White Paper first proposed a Heathrow third runway, a plan backed by Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon in 2009 but cancelled by the 2010 coalition. After the Airports Commission endorsed the north-west runway in 2015, courts and the COVID slump delayed it until Labour’s 2025 pledge to fund a £49 billion expansion, a move now urged by CEO Thomas Woldbye.

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Story summary

Heathrow chief executive Thomas Woldbye warned private investors may withdraw £33 billion without Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s commitment.
Burnham has declined to endorse the third runway, saying the decision depends on consultation and planning.
The scheme costs £33 billion, including £1.5 billion to tunnel the M25 motorway.
Opening has slipped from 2035 to 2039 because of planning and regulatory delays.

1 / 2