Heathrow boss warns PM on third runway decision deadline

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 12 Oct, 08:24 · Archive

Heathrow's chief executive has told the Prime Minister his airport's investors need a decision on a third runway by year-end.

Heathrow's chief executive Thomas Woldbye has issued a warning to the Prime Minister that the London airport's investors cannot wait indefinitely for government backing of its third runway expansion. In an interview with the Financial Times, he said shareholders must decide early in the new year whether to submit a formal planning application for the £33 billion project. The airport's backers, which include the Qatar Investment Authority, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and China Investment Corp, could reassess their plans if the government does not commit. 'We cannot wait forever,' Mr Woldbye said. 'At some point in time we need a level of certainty. I think by the end of the year we'll be looking and saying: Let's assess this, let's take stock and see where we are.'

Heathrow reported that passenger numbers fell 2.3 per cent year-on-year in September to 7.2 million. The decline was driven by a 20.1 per cent plunge in Middle East traffic owing to the Iran war, alongside a 4 per cent fall in UK passengers and a 1.2 per cent decline for those from the European Union. Despite the monthly drop, Mr Woldbye maintained that demand continues to outstrip the airport's current capacity.

Heathrow boss warns PM on third runway decision deadline — Image: Evening Standard

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How it is being reported

Heathrow boss urges PM to back third runway by year-endLatest figures showed a 2.3% drop year-on-year in passenger numbers last moth to 7.2 million as Middle East traffic plunged.Evening Standard · 12 Oct, 08:15
Heathrow boss urges PM to back third runway by year-endLatest figures showed a 2.3% drop year-on-year in passenger numbers last moth to 7.2 million as Middle East traffic plunged.Independent Business · 12 Oct, 08:15
Heathrow boss urges PM to back third runway by year-endLatest figures showed a 2.3% drop year-on-year in passenger numbers last moth to 7.2 million as Middle East traffic plunged.Independent Business · 12 Oct, 08:07

In this story: Heathrow · Thomas Woldbye · Andy Burnham · Qatar Investment Authority · Saudi Arabia · China · United Kingdom · Middle East

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