Heathrow Controversy

• Location of Heathrow Airport:

  • To the West of London.
  • Surrounded by West Drayton, Hounslow & Stanwell.
  • M4 passes by North of the Airport.
• Major global airports:

  (Total passengers in 2018)

  • London, Heathrow - 80.1 mil
  • Paris, Charles de Gaulle - 72.2 mil
  • Amsterdam, Schipol - 71.1 mil
  • Frankurt - 69.5 mil
  • Atlanta, Hartsfield Jackson - 107.4 mil
  • Beijing, Capital - 100.9 mil
  • Dubai, International - 89.1 mil
  • Los Angeles, International - 87.5 mil
• Heathrow runs at 100% capacity and demand for air travel is set to double, making a third runway necessary.
• If the UK doesn't increase its capacity for international flights, passengers and businesses will move abroad.
• Construction of a third runway at Heathrow will create tens of thousands of short-term jobs.
• Arguments for a 3rd runway at Heathrow (1):

  • If the runway isn't built, it could threaten London's position as the financial capital of the world.
  • New planes due to be used beyond 2020 will be more fuel efficient and much quieter.
  • Heathrow's owners estimate that the third runway will bring £7 billion a year to the UK economy.
  • Those supporting the Heathrow expansion argue that there is no valid alternative to a third runway.
• Arguments for a 3rd runway at Heathrow (2):

  • Construction of a third runway at Heathrow will create tens of thousands of short-term jobs.
  • If the UK doesn't increase its capacity for international flights, passengers and businesses will move abroad.
  • Heathrow runs at 100% capacity and demand for air travel is set to double, making a third runway necessary.
• Arguments against a 3rd runway at Heathrow (1):

  • Currently Heathrow breaks the Nitrous Oxide emissions limits (EU), a thrid runway would worsen this.
  • Heathrow currently generates 50% of th UK's airplane emissions. A third runway will increase this.
  • 700 houses would be demolished to accomodate the runway.
  • Hundreds of acres of greenbelt land would have to be built on.
  • Noise & air pollution in the area is already a problem - a 3rd runway will make this worse.
• Arguments against a 3rd runway at Heathrow (2):

  • If extra passengers were coming to London, the current transport infrastructure could not cope.
  • Expansion plans have been submitted for Gatwick, Heathrow & Luton, all close to London.
  • It's argued that extra traffic will just pass through the airport, increasing profits for airlines, not the UK economy.
  • Expansion of London airports further influences the North/South Divide, making the South economically stronger.