Heathrow chief says owners 'cannot wait forever' for PM Burnham to back third runway

Mixed · 2Heathrow chief executive Thomas Woldbye has warned that the airport's owners "cannot wait forever" for Prime Minister Andy Burnham to back the third runway, and said they could reassess their £33 billion plans if he does not commit. 1 2 Mixed · 2In an interview with the Financial Times, Woldbye said shareholders would like to proceed but that "at some point in time we need a level of certainty", adding that by the end of the year they would be looking to "take stock and see where we are". 1 2 Centre · 1The investors, reportedly including the Qatar Investment Authority, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and China Investment Corp, must reportedly decide in the new year whether to submit a formal planning application. 1 3

Centre · 1Burnham has refused to confirm his support, saying it is subject to a consultation and then the planning process. The Evening Standard reported that he declined five times in a recent interview to back expansion, and that he has argued a bigger Heathrow could deprive regions outside London of investment and suggested Manchester Airport capacity might be a higher priority. 1 3 Mixed · 2The Daily Mail reported that Burnham has said Heathrow takes investment 'away from the North and traps it in London', and has said the matter is one for people who live near the airport. The Standard added that Burnham has said the view of London could sway his position, and that London Mayor Sadiq Khan is firmly against the runway. 2 3 Mixed · 2Heathrow's September passenger numbers fell 2.3% year on year to 7.2 million, driven by a 20.1% fall in Middle East passengers attributed to the Iran war, while UK passengers fell 4% and EU passengers 1.2%. Woldbye said demand still outstrips capacity, and the Mail reported cargo traffic rose 5%. 1 2

Centre · 1Woldbye said the debate over whether the UK needs more hub capacity "has been settled", citing support from businesses, unions, regional airports, airlines and politicians. He is due to appear before the Transport Select Committee on Wednesday. 1 Right · 1The Mail reported that MPs will scrutinise the Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement, published by the Government in June, which must be approved before any application can proceed, with a vote expected before the end of next month. Woldbye said the private investment is available and the Government has confirmed expansion can be delivered within net zero targets. 2 Mixed · 2Heathrow says polling of more than 9,000 residents across nine boroughs found 68% support and that the runway would create 100,000 jobs. The Standard noted that the polling shows 80% support in Richmond Park, where the Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Olney strongly opposes the scheme, and said critics call the jobs and investment claims a huge exaggeration. 2 3

Mixed · 2On cost and timing, the Standard said the project is estimated at £49 billion with terminal and other improvements, including £1.5 billion to move the M25, and that ministers are paying bankers £3 million to assess the economic case. Rachel Reeves had suggested a 2035 opening; one report says airport bosses told ministers that is impossible, and another says Heathrow has pushed the earliest opening date to 2039. 3 1 2