Accelerated Heathrow Expansion Review Under New Government Plan

(UNITED KINGDOM) The UK government has accelerated the Heathrow expansion process, launching a fresh ANPS review on October 22, 2025, to fast-track planning for a long-debated third runway. Ministers said the move aims to choose a single scheme quickly, provide clarity for investors and local communities, and keep to the goal of opening new capacity by 2035.

Both project promoters have been told to submit more details by November 12, 2025, with a decision expected soon after on which proposal will guide the remainder of the review. Officials say the push reflects tight capacity at the country’s main hub and the need to support the economy after years of delay.

Since the Labour government took office in January 2025 it has signaled a desire for a swift path to decision. Heathrow has run at or near full capacity for years; previous attempts to add runway capacity stalled amid court cases, policy resets, and political changes.

What the ANPS update does and why it matters

Under the new plan, the Department for Transport reopened the policy framework known as the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS). The ANPS sets the rules for how major airport projects are assessed in England. A revised ANPS would guide the chosen Heathrow scheme through the planning system set out by the Planning Act.

The government says this is the cleanest way to avoid another cycle of delays and give the project legal footing. The current policy can be found on the UK government website: Airports National Policy Statement.

Key points about the ANPS update:
– It is a focused update to select one Heathrow expansion scheme for detailed planning — not a new broad study of all southeast airport options.
– The revised ANPS will set the framework for environmental assessment, design, and the subsequent Development Consent Order (DCO) application.
– The government must show the ANPS aligns with current climate law, air quality limits, and noise policies.

The ANPS review offers a route to a single, legally robust plan after years of stop-start progress.

Competing schemes at a glance

Two rival plans remain in play. Both have been invited to submit more evidence on impacts for investors, communities, and businesses by November 12:

1. Heathrow Airport Limited’s proposal
   • New northwest runway up to 3,500 meters
   • Terminal 5X (new terminal), expansion of Terminal 2, closure of Terminal 3
   • Three new satellite terminals
   • Major rail and road upgrades, new M25 tunnel, and two new parkways
   • Estimated cost: £49 billion
   • By 2035, capacity could reach 150 million passengers and 756,000 flights a year
2. Arora Group / Heathrow West proposal
   • Shorter runway of about 2,800 meters
   • Avoids rerouting the M25
   • Designed to limit disruption to national roads
   • Lower estimated cost: £25 billion

Officials require both schemes to clearly explain how they manage:
– Noise, air quality, and climate duties
– Value for money
– Improved resilience and passenger experience

Stakeholder expectations:
– Investors want certainty after years of shifting timelines and rising costs.
– Local leaders seek binding protections for residents, schools, and health services.
– Airlines want transparency on landing charges to avoid sharp fare rises.

VisaVerge.com reports that Heathrow’s current runways operate close to full, leaving little slack to absorb shocks, change schedules in bad weather, or add new long-haul links. According to VisaVerge.com analysis, the third runway question affects holidaymakers, students, workers, and family visitors who rely on reliable schedules and competitive fares.

What the ANPS review means for the next decision

The ANPS review will result in a single preferred scheme that will:
– Guide environmental assessment, design, and planning application steps
– Lead to a Development Consent Order (DCO) application for nationally significant infrastructure
– Require the promoter to present updated evidence on carbon, local impacts, surface access, and community protections

Community and environmental concerns:
– Campaigners warn a third runway could increase noise over west London, add traffic unless rail links scale up, and risk missing climate targets if aviation emissions rise faster than planned.
– Supporters (including business groups) say a larger hub is vital to retain long-haul routes, attract investment, and support national jobs.

Local impacts and stakeholder effects:
– Runway length and layout will change noise patterns and flight paths, affecting who hears early-morning or late-evening flights.
– Employers relying on air freight and just-in-time supply chains could benefit from more slots, reducing delays and improving on-time performance.
– Travelers, including migrants visiting family or starting jobs/studies in the UK, could see more routes and, over time, more competition on fares.

Timeline, next steps, and what to watch

Immediate milestone:
– November 12, 2025 — promoters must submit additional evidence.

Likely sequence after submissions:
1. Government reviews both evidence sets.
2. Announcement of which scheme will guide the revised ANPS.
3. Chosen promoter advances toward a DCO application, including detailed environmental assessments and public consultation.
4. Aim to keep the third runway operational by 2035, subject to decision speed, legal challenges, and construction risks.

Key risks and uncertainties:
– Cost inflation and rising estimates
– Legal action over alignment with climate law and carbon budgets
– Complexity of required road and rail upgrades
– Heathrow’s larger plan includes an M25 tunnel (complex and costly)
– Arora/Heathrow West avoids M25 rerouting but must still demonstrate strong surface access and terminal operations

Other pressure points:
– Airlines will push for clarity on landing charges; sharp fee rises could deter carriers or shift growth elsewhere.
– Local councils will press for rules on night flights, schools’ noise insulation, and clean air measures.
– National rail and roads planning must mesh with whichever scheme is chosen to avoid bottlenecks.

Jobs, community protections, and carbon tests

Jobs and local benefits:
– Construction would create thousands of roles (engineering, apprenticeships).
– Long-term operations would add airport, airline, and supply-chain employment.
– Residents will demand firm limits on noise, stringent air quality monitoring, and compensation where needed.

Policy and carbon tests:
– The updated ANPS will set explicit tests on carbon, including how aviation fits within the UK’s legal carbon budgets and the net zero pathway.
– This assessment will rely on assumptions about:
– Cleaner aircraft
– Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)
– Airspace modernization
– Critics will scrutinize these assumptions if they appear optimistic or slow to deliver.

Expect intense debate over flight caps during construction and the phasing of new flights as the runway opens.

This is a decisive moment for Heathrow expansion. The ANPS review gives a route to a single, legally robust plan after years of delays. The next three weeks will be crucial in determining which design, cost profile, and construction path best stands a chance of meeting the 2035 opening goal for the third runway.