Parliament is reviewing the Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement as unions, airlines and businesses back plans said to unlock 100,000 jobs and £33 billion investment.
Support for the expansion of London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is growing as Parliament reviews the Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement (HENPS), with trade unions, businesses, regional airports, airlines and an increasing number of politicians backing the project.
Heathrow Airport said the plans, which are privately financed at £33 billion, would unlock more than 100,000 jobs across every region and nation of the UK. The HENPS sets the framework for how the project can be delivered, and the airport said its proposals follow years of consultation and engagement with local communities.
Passenger demand and traffic performance at Heathrow
New figures published by Heathrow Airport show 7.18 million terminal passengers travelled through the airport in September 2026, a decrease of 2.3 per cent year on year. Almost 1.4 million were transfer passengers, whom the airport said make additional destinations commercially viable for airlines serving UK passengers and businesses. Heathrow said 96 per cent of passengers rated their experience as good or excellent.
The airport said passenger demand remained strong despite recent headwinds, including the Middle East conflict. Middle East traffic fell 20.1 per cent in September to 561,000 passengers, while Asia Pacific rose 3.3 per cent to 934,000. EU traffic totalled 2.57 million passengers, down 1.2 per cent, and North America totalled 1.86 million, down 0.1 per cent.
Air transport movements in September totalled 38,820, down 3.4 per cent, while passenger numbers for the first nine months of 2026 reached 62.9 million, a fall of 0.6 per cent. Over the 12 months to September, terminal passengers totalled 84.1 million, unchanged year on year.
Cargo performed more strongly. Volumes reached 131,326 tonnes in September, up 5.4 per cent year on year, with North America up 9.4 per cent and Asia Pacific up 13.3 per cent. Heathrow said expansion would increase export capacity by 50 per cent at what it described as the UK’s largest port by value.
Demand for access continues to exceed available capacity, according to the airport, with more than 40 airlines seeking slots. The airport said new carriers and expanded services would give passengers greater choice while demonstrating the continued strength of demand to fly from the UK. Heathrow said that, with the airport full, carriers looking to launch or expand services are being forced to choose competing hubs overseas, taking connectivity, trade and growth opportunities away from the UK.
A larger airport would create space for new airlines and routes, increasing competition and, Heathrow said, helping deliver more choice and lower fares for consumers. Aberdeen, Belfast City, Cornwall Newquay, Glasgow, Leeds, Newcastle and Teesside airports are among those that want expansion to proceed at pace to improve connectivity and enable growth.
Trade unions including GMB, Unite and the TUC want the project to proceed, citing more than 100,000 jobs and 5,000 apprenticeships, as well as a pipeline of work for UK supply chains. The Government estimates that about 400,000 tonnes of steel would be required, around a sixth of annual UK production, representing hundreds of millions of pounds invested in domestic supply chains.
The British Chambers of Commerce and the Confederation of British Industry are also backing the project, noting the economic opportunities that additional hub capacity would bring across Britain. Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander has recently confirmed that Heathrow expansion is compatible with the UK’s efforts to meet net zero by 2050.
Polling of more than 9,000 residents across nine local boroughs in London, Surrey and Berkshire found that 68 per cent support a third runway at Heathrow, with backing driven by the employment and economic opportunities expansion would create. Heathrow said this builds on support from trade unions, local businesses and business groups, colleges and universities.
Supporters of expansion argue that, as international competitors continue to invest in aviation infrastructure and global connectivity, Britain has an opportunity to strengthen its position as a leading trading nation and secure the long-term benefits of enhanced connectivity.
Ahead of his evidence session at the Transport Select Committee’s hearing on the HENPS later this week, Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye said:
“The debate about whether the UK needs additional hub airport capacity has been settled. Businesses, trade unions, regional airports, airlines and politicians agree that better global connections are critical if the UK is to compete, trade and grow.”
Woldbye added:
“Expansion would unlock more than 100,000 jobs, inject £33 billion of private investment, strengthen British supply chains and increase export capacity for companies across the country. It would open the door to new airlines, new destinations and greater choice for consumers.”
He continued:
“There is now a clear path forward. The private investment is available, the benefits are well understood and the Government has confirmed expansion can be delivered within net zero targets. After decades of discussion, Parliament now has the opportunity to unlock a project that can deliver lasting benefits for generations to come. We are ready to deliver it.”
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