Heathrow Boss Urges PM to Back Third Runway by Year-End
· World · The Independent, BBC News
Heathrow chief executive Thomas Woldbye has warned that the London airport's owners cannot wait forever for the Prime Minister's backing on its £33 billion expansion plans. Woldbye stated that investors, including the Qatar Investment Authority, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, and China Investment Corp, must decide in the new year whether to submit a formal planning application. The warning follows a 2.3% year-on-year drop in September passenger numbers to 7.2 million, driven largely by a 20.1% plunge in travellers from the Middle East due to the regional conflict. Despite the monthly dip, Woldbye insisted that overall demand continues to outstrip capacity and that the debate over the third runway has been settled. Woldbye is scheduled to appear before the Transport Select Committee on Wednesday to defend the expansion project.
Why it matters
A delay or cancellation of Heathrow's £33 billion third runway project could impact international connectivity and future trade growth for the UK economy.
Read the original report — The Independent
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