UK Prime Minister Burnham does not back Heathrow’s third runway — Daily Maverick

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham did not immediately support the project to build a third runway at London’s Heathrow Airport. In an interview with the BBC at the start of the annual conference of the ruling Labour Party, he said that the views of people living near the airport must be heard first.

The prime minister’s position

Burnham said that the issue of Heathrow’s expansion primarily concerns London. He does not believe it is right to immediately state a position based solely on a consultation.

According to Daily Maverick, the government of former Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced its support for Heathrow’s expansion last year. At the same time, the project must undergo a lengthy planning procedure before construction begins.

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Burnham’s refusal to provide immediate support marked a new stage in the debate over the project, which has divided British politicians for two decades.

Timeline and arguments of the sides

Heathrow said that the opening of the third runway could be delayed by four years, meaning it may not become operational before 2039. The airport is operating at 99% capacity and, in its assessment, risks losing its position to other European airports.

Heathrow has two runways, while Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and Frankfurt Airport each have four, and Amsterdam Schiphol has six. Residents of nearby areas complain about noise, safety risks from flights over a densely populated city, and rising carbon emissions. At the same time, businesses and trade unions point to the possible consequences of delaying the expansion for economic growth and jobs. The GMB union noted that local residents include Heathrow employees who support the airport’s expansion.