Heathrow invites local community to have their say during expansion consultation

• Local communities will be able to share their views on plans to expand the UK’s gateway to growth, as Heathrow launches its 2026 Public Consultation
• The UK’s only hub airport will publish more details on how it can deliver the runway capacity the country needs responsibly, including meeting strict tests on carbon, noise and air quality
• Across more than 20 in-person events and six online events, local residents will be able to meet experts on a range of topics including noise, air quality and the environment, before giving their feedback

Heathrow is inviting all members of its local community to have their say on expansion when it launches its 2026 Public Consultation. The eight-week consultation will run from 27 October to 22 December with residents able to learn more about expansion plans, before a planning application is submitted.

Across more than 20 public events in local towns and villages, experts on all the relevant issues including noise, air quality and the environment will be on site to answer people’s questions. In addition, a further six online sessions will take place for those who would prefer to engage with the consultation process virtually. Information will be available to read online, alongside events.

The consultation process has been designed to be accessible, and Heathrow wants to hear from the widest possible range of voices. It will cover Heathrow’s expansion proposals, including a new runway to the northwest of the current airport and supporting airport, transport and construction infrastructure.

A third runway at the UK’s only hub airport would unlock 108,000 jobs nationwide, with tens of thousands filled locally, increase trade capacity by 50% and make travel more affordable. Heathrow is committed to ensuring these benefits will be felt by those living closest and to minimising impacts of expansion locally.

The feedback Heathrow receives from this consultation, alongside ongoing local engagement and environmental assessments, will help shape how it delivers this crucial project.

Heathrow’s Director for Communities and Residential Property, Becky Coffin, said: “We agree with the Prime Minister that local voices must be heard. We know from consistent polling over the last decade that communities support our plans for expansion, and support is only growing over time. But more than that, we want local people, businesses and education institutions to have genuine opportunities to shape and finalise our plans. This consultation is a chance to do just that.”

The latest local polling shows clear majority support for expansion  and the jobs and economic boost it will give to the region, and nationwide.

Heathrow runs year-round engagement with its neighbours, with regular forums on a range of local community priorities, giving residents a direct channel with the airport’s leaders.

Full details of the time, date and location of public events will be published in October, ahead of the start of the consultation period.