Wednesday 14 October 2026
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Heathrow third runway plan risks 'ghost town' if unaffordable, MPs warned

Two rival blueprints presented to Commons committee as costs exceed £33 billion

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time2 min
MPs have been warned that Heathrow Airport could become a “ghost town” if the government presses ahead with a third runway scheme that proves unaffordable for airlines. The warning came during a Commons Transport Committee hearing on Wednesday examining two competing proposals: a £33 billion plan from Heathrow Airport itself and a cheaper alternative from Heathrow West, a subsidiary of the Arora Group.

The Commons Transport Committee heard evidence on Wednesday on the expansion plans for the west London airport. Two rival blueprints for a third runway are on the table. Heathrow Airport’s proposal is for a £33 billion scheme covering a 3,500-metre new runway, rising to £49 billion once terminal and other improvements are included. The alternative, put forward by a consortium called Heathrow West (a subsidiary of the Arora Group), proposes a shorter runway of initially 2,400 metres at a cost of less than £25 billion. Crucially, the Heathrow West concept does not involve moving the M25 motorway, which would cost an additional £1.5 billion under Heathrow’s plan.

Giving evidence to the committee, Surinder Arora, Heathrow West’s chairman, said: “At the end of the day, any scheme has to be affordable. If it's not affordable, then people won't use the airport. The airlines won't come in and be able to afford to come into Heathrow.” He added: “What we can't do is build something, and we are three, four times the price of Schipol or Charles de Gaulle or other airports. Then it would become a ghost town.”

The warning echoes concerns already raised by airlines, who say Heathrow Airport’s plan would be the most expensive new runway project ever. The committee is expected to report its findings and recommendations to the government in due course.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The decision on which plan to back will affect ticket prices for passengers and the competitiveness of Heathrow as a European hub.
  • A costly runway could deter airlines and lead to underutilisation, harming London’s economic connectivity.
  • The government must balance expansion capacity against affordability for airlines and taxpayers.

Background

The debate over a third runway at Heathrow has been running for decades, with multiple governments dithering on a final decision. Previous plans were approved in principle but stalled over costs, environmental opposition and legal challenges. The current government has signaled support for expansion, but the financial viability of the project remains a key sticking point, especially as rival hubs like Schiphol and Charles de Gaulle continue to modernise at lower costs.

Key Perspectives

Heathrow Airport: Argues its £33 billion plan (including terminals) is necessary to deliver adequate capacity for London’s future aviation demand and maintain Heathrow’s status as a global hub. Heathrow West / Arora Group: Promotes a cheaper, shorter-runway alternative that avoids moving the M25, claiming it is the only financially sustainable option that airlines will accept. Airlines: Fears Heathrow’s plan could be the most expensive runway ever built, pushing landing fees so high that carriers may shift operations to cheaper European airports.

What to Watch

  • The Transport Committee’s final report and its recommended plan.
  • The government’s response, including any commitment to fund the M25 diversion.
  • Airline feedback on the two proposals, potentially influencing which scheme proceeds to planning stage.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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