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Third runway timetable at Heathrow slips as political backing remains unclear

The timetable for Heathrow’s third runway has been pushed back, while Prime Minister Andy Burnham has not given a clear commitment on whether he supports the plan. Heathrow management said the previously touted 2035 opening target now looks increasingly difficult, and the new runway may not enter service before 2039. The development has brought the debate over growth, infrastructure and regional investment priorities in the UK economy back into focus.

Burnham said the decision primarily concerns communities in and around London, adding that different views should be carefully weighed after the consultation process. In a brief comment, he said, “

First, the voices of the people there must be heard
”. Burnham previously opposed the project when he was Mayor of Greater Manchester, warning at the time that transport investment in the north could be delayed.

Former Chancellor Rachel Reeves has argued that a third runway would support the economy and has presented the project as part of the growth agenda. However, Heathrow said it is becoming increasingly difficult to stick to the original schedule without further steps to simplify the planning process.

What could a £33 billion investment mean for the economy?

One of the most notable figures attached to the project is its estimated cost of around £33 billion. Heathrow says the new runway could create about 100,000 jobs and deliver a significant boost to the UK economy.

  • Annual flight numbers could rise from the current 480,000 to 720,000.
  • That would amount to an average of roughly 2,000 flights a day.
  • Heathrow aims to secure planning approval by 2029 and open the new runway within the following decade.

The Department for Transport said the initial timeline has always been ambitious and added that it will continue working with relevant parties to speed up the process. The uncertainty over the schedule is being closely watched for its impact on infrastructure financing and capacity planning in the aviation sector.

Local opposition and union support continue side by side

The project is opposed by environmental campaigners, local resident groups and London Mayor Sadiq Khan. Building the third runway could require the demolition of hundreds of homes, the diversion of some river courses and the tunnel-based redesign of part of the M25 motorway.

On the other hand, support continues from the trade union side. Unite and GMB say the project would create important opportunities in jobs, industry and supply chains. Heathrow also said surveys over the past decade indicate that local support remains in place, arguing that the economic benefits of the expansion plan will become more visible over time.

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