Prime Minister Andy Burnham has not confirmed his support for a third runway at Heathrow Airport following reports that the expansion could be delayed by up to four years. Burnham, who previously opposed the project as Mayor of Greater Manchester, stated in an interview on Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg, "I think principally, it's a matter for London and Londoners." He emphasized the importance of hearing the opinions of local residents before making a decision.
Former Chancellor Rachel Reeves had advocated for the runway to enhance economic growth, with an initial opening schedule set for 2035. However, Heathrow announced on Saturday that the runway may not be operational until 2039. Burnham had previously expressed concerns that the project could hinder transport investments in northern England, although he mentioned he was "open-minded" about the scheme when he assumed office.
As he prepared for his first annual Labour Party conference as Prime Minister, Burnham remarked, "There's a consultation but there are different views and you have to take those views seriously in coming to a decision." In response, Heathrow stated, "We agree with the Prime Minister that local voices must be heard. We know from consistent polling over the last decade that communities support our plans for expansion and support is only growing over time."
The expansion project, estimated to cost £33 billion, faces opposition from environmental activists and local resident groups, including Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. The construction of a third runway would necessitate the demolition of hundreds of homes, the diversion of rivers, and the rerouting of a section of the M25 motorway through a tunnel.
Proponents argue that the runway could create 100,000 jobs and significantly benefit the UK economy. The current cap on flights at the airport is 480,000 annually, which could increase to 720,000, averaging nearly 2,000 flights per day. The unions Unite and GMB have expressed their support for the new runway, with Unite's General Secretary Sharon Graham stating, "A third runway at Heathrow is essential and we need to get going with it. This is more than just infrastructure. It's about investing in the workforce, securing the future of good, unionised jobs and a guaranteed market for UK steel."
Earlier this weekend, Heathrow acknowledged that meeting the original deadline would be increasingly challenging without further measures to streamline the planning process. The airport hopes to obtain planning permission by 2029 and aims to open the runway "within a decade." The Department for Transport noted that the timeline had "always been ambitious" and will continue to collaborate with stakeholders "at pace" on the issue.