Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton: Ministers preparing to back London airports expansion

The government is preparing to approve major expansion plans at three London airports, according to reports.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is poised to announce her support for additional runways at Heathrow and Gatwick, and a bid by London Luton to significantly increase passenger capacity, in a speech later this month, according toBloomberg.

Reeves’ speech has yet to be finalised and could still subject to be change, the report said.

TheFinancial Times also reported ministers are ready to give the go-ahead for Gatwick’s £2.2bn plans for a second runway.

It comes as the government looks to stimulate economic growth by pressing ahead with a series of major planning and infrastructure decisions.

“We are determined to get our economy moving and secure the long-term future of the UK’s aviation sector,” the government said in a statement. “All expansion proposals must demonstrate they contribute to economic growth” while staying in line with environmental obligations.

Approving all three airport expansions could prove particularly contentious given looming net-zero targets. Heathrow’s long-delayed plans for a third runway are the most contentious, given the size of the UK’s busiest hub.

Such a move is likely to prompt opposition from London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who has reacted furiously to airport expansion in the past. Energy secretary Ed Miliband is also firmly against Heathrow’s expansion bid.

A spokesperson for Khan told City AM : “The Mayor has a long-standing opposition to airport expansion around London – linked to the negative impact on air quality, noise and London’s ability to reach net-zero by 2030.”

But pressure is mounting on Reeves amid investor fears over stagflation and last week’s bond market volatility.

The UK economy expanded by 0.1 per cent in November, following 0.1 per cent contractions in both October and September, according to official data.

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander will decide on Gatwick’s runway by February 27, while a decision on Luton Airport, which has already been pushed back three times, will not be made until April.

Bloomberg reported the £9bn Lower Thames Crossing, a major road tunnel to the east of London known for the staggering size of its planning application, is also set for approval.

The government has already backed both Stansted and London City’s expansion proposals since the summer election, overturning a local council’s ruling in the latter case.