15 reasons why Heathrow airport expansion is wrong

The government supports building a third runway at Heathrow airport. But this would cause huge environmental problems at immense financial cost and little benefit. Here are 15 reasons why Heathrow airport expansion is wrong...

1. Heathrow expansion has no economic benefit

The predicted boost to the economy from Heathrow expansion is tiny, amounting to around £2 billion in 2056 – just 0.05% of GDP. Even worse – the government’s own analysis shows this benefit is significantly outweighed by the social and environmental costs.

2. Expansion won’t help regions outside the South East

At least three-quarters of Heathrow expansion’s tiny economic boost will go to London and the South East, according to analysis of government figures by think-tank the New Economics Foundation. Analysis of job creation shows that two-thirds of the jobs created at Heathrow in 2050 would displace ones in other regions, with the West Midlands alone forecast to lose around 9,500 jobs as a result of expansion.

3. All the profits would disappear abroad

Heathrow is owned by a French private equity firm, an Australian retirement fund and the sovereign wealth funds of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Singapore and China. Any profits from expansion will go to them.

4. No real case for expansion

Heathrow is already the most connected airport in the world – the number of international destinations it serves has grown by nearly a quarter in a decade. We don’t need more capacity for business passengers – numbers have been falling and aren’t expected to rise significantly. And less than 1% of UK exports and imports by weight are air-freighted.

5. Is Heathrow another HS2 money pit in the making?

Heathrow says expansion will cost £49 billion, but this has been questioned by independent consultants, while analysis for airlines says costs could double to £100 billion. And Heathrow’s numbers don’t include the cost of upgrading public transport to take the expected 80% more passengers to and from the airport. 

6. Flies in the face of the climate crisis

The government predicts CO2 emissions from aviation after expansion will be 81% higher in 2050 than their advisors say would be compatible with reaching net zero. This would cause huge problems for meeting the UK’s legally-binding climate targets and carbon budgets. 

7. Ignores major climate impacts

Aeroplane contrails and emissions of other gases more than double the overall impact of aviation on the climate. But the government’s assessment wouldn’t count these additional impacts when deciding whether expansion would meet its climate tests. Its excuse is that levels can’t be accurately assessed, even though its own guidelines explain how this can done.

8. Relies on unproven technology

The government is relying on the use of so-called sustainable aviation fuels to reduce emissions and greenhouse gas removals to offset the remaining emissions. But these are new technologies and there’s real doubt whether they can be delivered fast enough to work at scale.

9. Risks damaging wildlife and legally protected nature sites

The government says negative effects on 8 designated nature sites can’t be ruled out, including Richmond Park and Windsor Great Park.

10. Worsens air pollution

The extra quarter of a million flights a year would lead to higher emissions of key pollutants, exposing more people to air pollution problems and jeopardising progress in cleaning up London’s air. And the UK’s current air pollution standards are weak and outdated, because the government won’t upgrade them to the World Health Organisation’s latest science-based standards.

11. More noise and misery for millions

Around 900,000 more people will be exposed to aircraft noise at levels shown to harm human health if Heathrow expands. But we don’t know exactly who will be affected, because the government hasn’t published flight paths and its modelling is based on scenarios that are 12 years out of date.

12. Destroys homes and communities

Over 750 homes and amenities in villages near the airport would be knocked down to make way for the new runway. The historic village of Longford would disappear, Sipson would lose half its homes and Harmondsworth would be partly demolished. And increases in noise and air pollution could make another 5,500 homes unfit to live in.
 

13. Passengers will pay the price

Airlines say average ticket prices could rise by £60 to £65 per person to fund expansion – that’s £250 for a family of four. The government says expansion must be 100% privately funded. Heathrow’s owners will foot the initial bill, but they’ll recoup the costs through higher landing charges for airlines, which would almost inevitably mean higher fares.  

14. Rich flyers will benefit most

Airport expansion in the last 20 years has resulted in a lot of growth in passenger numbers. But two-thirds of this has been even more flights by people who can already afford more than 3 flights a year.

15. Less government funding for public services

Despite pledges that expansion will be private funded, many informed commentators think the government will inevitably end up contributing, starting with billions to improve public transport for the projected increase in passenger numbers. Money spent on this is money that can’t be spent on improving schools and hospitals, building new social housing or public transport elsewhere.