Heathrow third runway deadline slips to 2039 as £49bn expansion plan faces criticism

Ms Reeves backed the third runway plans last year, arguing it would create 100,000 jobs and significantly boost the economy.

She set a 10-year deadline, with the support of Sir Keir Starmer, which has now been extended by a further four years.

However, since Andy Burnham’s succession to No10, the plans appeared to waiver as he has not addressed the airport’s expansion since taking office.

It is understood he told MPs he was against the investment as it could be allocated elsewhere in other regions.

Local groups strongly oppose the expansion, who argue it will produce more emissions and noise pollution.

London’s mayor, Sir Sadiq Khan, also raised questions about the plans, claiming it would be putting Londoners’ health at risk.

The London airport aims to seek planning permission for the expansion by 2029 and has always considered the decade-long deadline a reasonable ambition.

Its bosses believe the plans could be expedited, but this would require the Government removing further regulatory red tape - beyond planning reforms already proposed.

A Heathrow spokesman said: "It’s right that ambitious targets were set; the sooner expansion begins, the sooner the whole UK will benefit. Our focus has always been to secure planning permission by 2029.

"Once achieved, the runway will be open within a decade – and the benefits of expansion can be felt from today. At least 108,000 new jobs and billions invested in supply chains in every part of the country.

"This is a national project, 100 per cent privately financed, which will support growth today and secure the UK’s position in the global economy once the runway opens."

The Climate Change Committee, the Government’s official advisory group, said last week Heathrow’s proposed third runway was not "currently compatible" with Net Zero targets.

It argued Net Zero by 2050 could only be achieved if airlines enforced carbon offsets, which could see an additional £400 be added to a transatlantic flight.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, however, insisted the expansion was compatible with Net Zero targets.

She said the third runway should go ahead because the carbon impact of an increase in flights could be offset "holistically" elsewhere.

Ms Alexander wrote in the Telegraph the third runway would stimulate thousands of jobs and become "the country’s front door" to tourists from India and China.

Reform UK’s leader Nigel Farage branded the delay as a sign of Britain’s "third world decline".

Reacting on X, he wrote: "Heathrow’s third runway will now be delayed until 2039. China has built more than 100 airports in the last 25 years.

"Britain is truly a broken country, we can’t build or do anything. Only Reform will reverse our third-world decline."

The plans first surfaced in 2009, but have been pushed back repeatedly due to opposition and changing Governments.

The Chancellor John Healey said earlier this month the Government would continue to back the third runway plans after "years of indecision and years of often vexatious challenge... because the economic case stacks up and will help bring growth".

A Department for Transport spokesman said: "There is currently no live planning application for a third runway, and we cannot comment on ongoing consultation processes or prejudice them in a way that will only delay progress.

"The timeline has always been ambitious.

"We’ll continue to work with promoters, including Heathrow, and all other stakeholders at pace to ensure the right framework is in place for which a planning application for a third runway could be considered."

A spokesman for Heathrow said: "It’s right that ambitious targets were set, the sooner expansion begins the sooner the whole UK will benefit. Our focus has always been to secure planning permission by 2029. Once achieved the runway will be open within a decade – and the benefits of expansion can be felt from today.

"At least 108,000 new jobs and billions invested in supply chains in every part of the country. This is a national project, 100 per cent privately financed which will support growth today and secure the UK’s position in the global economy once the runway opens."