Heathrow and Gatwick airport could expand under plans

Airports across the UK could be expanded, including the controversial third runway at Heathrow, under government growth plans.

The Treasury is looking at whether to support a third runway at Heathrow, approve a second runway at Gatwick, and increase capacity at Luton airport, although a government spokesperson said it does “not comment on speculation”.

The new Labour government has made economic growth a key part of its messaging, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves pledging to go “further and faster”.

Reeves could make an announcement on airports next week in a speech, the BBC understands.

The Chancellor will arrive in Davos on Tuesday for the World Economic Forum, where she will say that the UK is “on the up” as she meets business leaders and investors from around the world.

A government spokesperson said: “We are determined to get our economy moving and secure the long-term future of the UK’s aviation sector.

“All expansion proposals must demonstrate they contribute to economic growth, which is central to our Plan for Change, while remaining in line with existing environmental obligations.”

The push for growth has become more urgent after international markets cast doubt on the credibility of the UK’s economic plans, with UK borrowing costs soaring and the pound falling.

The boss of Heathrow Airport, Thomas Woldbye, said in December that his company needs a “clear steer” from the new government by the end of 2025 over plans to expand the airport and build a third runway.

The government is due to make a decision on Gatwick airport’s plans for expansion by 27 February.

Gatwick wants to increase its capacity to 75 million passengers per year, according to the previously published plans. Its previous record pre-covid was 47 million.

Gatwick is aiming to complete the project by the end of the decade if the plans go ahead.

Meanwhile, a decision on Luton airport’s expansion, which includes plans for a new terminal, is due by 3 April.

Airport expansions were delayed under the previous Conservative government because of their environmental impact and objections from airport-neighbouring communities over noise.

Heathrow’s expansion plans have been divisive for the Labour party in the past, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer voting against a third runway in 2018 while Reeves supported it.