Heathrow CEO urges faster decisions on third runway amid slow progress

In Brief

Heathrow's CEO calls for urgent funding and legal decisions to advance third runway plans.

Key Facts

• Heathrow's third runway project is estimated to cost £33 billion
• Chief Executive Thomas Woldbye stated the third runway should have been built 10 years ago
• Heathrow expects passenger growth to be less than 1% in 2026
• The airport has reported falling profits and a squeeze on passenger growth
• Woldbye emphasized the need for major funding model and legal decisions this year to meet government timelines

What Happened

Heathrow Airport's chief executive, Thomas Woldbye, highlighted slow progress on the airport's £33 billion third runway project and called for urgent decisions on funding and legal frameworks. The airport reported declining profits and limited passenger growth, with expectations of less than 1% growth in 2026. Woldbye stressed that these issues should be a national concern and that timely decisions are necessary to meet government expansion schedules.

Why It Matters

The third runway at Heathrow is a significant infrastructure project with implications for the UK's aviation capacity and economy. Delays and funding uncertainties could affect the airport's ability to accommodate future passenger demand and impact national transport planning. The CEO's remarks underline the importance of coordinated government and regulatory action to progress the expansion.