Chancellor Rachel Reeves sets an ambitious timeline for the construction and operation of Heathrow's third runway, aiming for flights within a decade. The announcement faces skepticism from industry figures and environmental concerns.
Rachel Reeves has outlined an ambitious timeline for the commencement of flights from Heathrow Airport 's long-awaited third runway . The Chancellor declared yesterday that the government would endorse the plans, initially approved under Theresa May in 2016. She emphasized that the process would not be delayed indefinitely, anticipating a preliminary proposal from Heathrow executives before the summer and construction commencing before the current parliament concludes in 2029.
Asked on BBC Breakfast when she anticipates the first flights from the new runway, Reeves stated: 'I believe we can accomplish this within a decade.' Reaffirming the target date of 2035, she reiterated: 'This is our objective, and it is Heathrow's aspiration as well.' However, not everyone shares the optimism regarding the feasibility of completing the intricate process, which is almost certain to involve legal challenges, within such a short timeframe. At a press conference in London yesterday, Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary characterized the Chancellor's announcement as a 'dead cat,' a political tactic purportedly used to divert attention from more pressing matters. He asserted: 'If it ever materializes, it will likely be around 2040, 2045, or even 2050, long after my departure from Ryanair. It will not yield any growth.' O'Leary argued that abolishing air passenger duty, which Reeves increased in last year's budget, would be a more effective strategy for promoting growth. Meanwhile, sources within the Labour Party cited in The Guardian suggest that the third runway might never be constructed due to the difficulty of reconciling it with the government's environmental goals. Reeves has maintained that advancements in aircraft engines and sustainable aviation fuel in recent years will enable both expansion and the achievement of environmental targets. However, there is skepticism regarding the practicality of sustainable fuel options and whether they can be developed sufficiently rapidly to meet demand. The operator of Luton Airport responded to Reeves' speech yesterday by advocating for a swift decision on their own proposals. Luton Rising Chair Paul Kehoe highlighted the potential for the airport to participate in another major initiative announced by the Chancellor—the 'growth corridor' between Oxford and Cambridge. He stated: 'Here at London Luton Airport, we have a ready-to-go scheme poised to deliver an economic air-bridge for the Oxford-Cambridge growth corridor and contribute to the nation's success.'
Heathrow Airport Third Runway Rachel Reeves UK Government Sustainable Aviation Fuel Environmental Targets Air Passenger Duty Ryanair Luton Airport
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