Heathrow expansion set to deliver economic benefits across the UK

Heathrow’s proposed expansion is expected to generate economic growth across every nation and region of the UK, with 60% of the benefits forecast to be delivered outside London and the South East.

The airport is stepping up efforts to involve regional businesses, manufacturers and airports in its expansion plans, highlighting a series of agreements signed during October aimed at ensuring the programme creates opportunities throughout the country.

A key development was a landmark Memorandum of Understanding with Welsh steel manufacturer 7 Steel UK, placing the company at the heart of Heathrow’s expansion supply chain. The agreement reinforces the airport’s commitment to using UK-made steel while supporting domestic manufacturing.

Heathrow also hosted its second regional business summit in Liverpool, bringing together businesses to explore opportunities within the airport’s multibillion-pound supply chain and connect regional suppliers with international markets.

The airport has also secured support from regional aviation through a new agreement with the RABA Group, which represents close to 40 regional and business airports. The Memorandum of Understanding establishes a shared commitment to protecting and enhancing domestic air connectivity as Heathrow expands.

Heathrow believes additional runway capacity will enable airlines to increase competition on existing routes and introduce new connections, including services to parts of the UK that are currently underserved.

The airport said expansion would create opportunities for manufacturers, exporters and businesses nationwide, alongside highly skilled employment and wider industrial growth.

Heathrow Chief Executive Thomas Woldbye said: “The case for Heathrow expansion is an indisputable case for growth across the entire UK. The benefits will not stop at the airport’s boundary, but rather they’ll be felt by manufacturers, entrepreneurs and exporters in every nation and region.

“With backing from Ministers to provide the right policy and regulatory framework, expansion will unlock highly skilled jobs, drive a new era of industrial growth and strengthen our domestic connectivity.”

Woldbye added that private investment was available and that the opportunities presented by expansion were ready to be realised.

The airport’s October traffic figures showed that Heathrow handled 7.296 million passengers during the month, while cargo volumes increased by 5.8% year-on-year to 145,137 tonnes.