Airport authorities have abandoned the original 2035 target for a third runway at Heathrow, now aiming for planning approval by 2029 with operations unlikely before 2039, pushing back the timeline by up to four years. The latest delay has intensified criticism of the long-disputed project, with opponents arguing the extended timeline makes its necessity even more questionable. Meanwhile, the prime minister remains noncommittal on whether he supports the controversial expansion, leaving its future in further uncertainty. The shift in deadlines raises fresh doubts about whether the runway will ever materialize.
Airport chiefs say 2035 operations deadline unachievable as critics say new delay makes case for project ‘even more dubious’Plans for a third runway at Heathrow are once again up in the air after the prime minister refused to say whether he backs the “contested” project which is delayed by up to four years.Over the weekend it emerged that Heathrow no longer expects to meet the original 2035 deadline. Instead, the airport hopes to secure planning permission by 2029 and then open the runway “within a decade”, meaning it would not be operational until 2039. Continue reading...
