Emirates president Sir Tim Clark 'not optimistic' about Heathrow third runway

01 March 2024 , 12:19

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Sir Tim Clark said that he is "getting a bit long in the tooth" waiting for Heathrow expansion (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)

An aviation veteran has warned he is "not optimistic" a third runway will be built at Heathrow Airport in the coming years.

Sir Tim Clark, president of airline Emirates, claimed the west London airport will only be able to increase capacity if flight paths are altered. Speaking to reporters in central London, the British executive said: "I'm not optimistic about the third runway at Heathrow."

"This can will get kicked down the street. It won't be in this parliament and I don't suppose it'll be in the next parliament. I think the best (the Government) can do is have a look at the regional airports and try and attract people (to them). HS2 would have done a great job for connectivity but they stopped it in Birmingham."

The 74 year old added he is "getting a bit long in the tooth" waiting for Heathrow expansion, which has been discussed for decades. In recent years the project has been delayed by legal challenges over the environmental impact, and the coronavirus pandemic.

Heathrow recorded a 29% year-on-year jump in the number of passengers travelling through its terminals in 2023, to 79. 2 million, and is forecasting a record of 81. 4 million this year. Thomas Woldbye, Heathrow's recently appointed chief executive, said last week that growth in passenger numbers "firms up the business case" for a third runway, and the project will "absolutely" be something the airport will focus on this year.

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Sir Tim whas said that the airport will be revealing a "revised strategy" in the upcoming weeks, which would include ideas on increasing the number of people it can handle. He believes that the airport needs to "look at the way they handle the two runways" to increase capacity without an additional runway.

The plan could be achieved by allowing incoming flights to stay at higher altitudes for longer before landing, therefore reducing the noise on the ground, according to Sir Tim. He quickly pointed out that he wouldn't suggest any changes to the night flight restrictions at Heathrow as he would be "slaughtered in the media".

Lawrence Matheson