Construction of a third runway at Heathrow Airport is now not likely to be completed until some time between early 2028 and late 2029.
The news came as Heathrow confirmed that it would submit its expansion planning application towards the end of this year.
It was thought that the runway could be complete as early as 2026 but the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) recently decided to cap early spending on the project, which Heathrow said would involve prolonging the construction period and refreshing modelling of “key aspects” of the plan such as public transport to and from the airport.
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A further eight-week public consultation to finalise the expansion proposals will now run from April through to June in response to the CAA’s decision.
Heathrow said it would also write to local authorities in the coming weeks with more information, offering them the opportunity to feedback on its approach to consultation. Responses will feed into the final planning application, to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate towards the end of 2020.
If Heathrow’s plans are approved by the secretary of state on the recommendation of the Planning Inspectorate, the third runway is expected to open between early 2028 and late 2029.
Heathrow’s executive director for expansion Emma Gilthorpe, said: “This country is ready for a decade of infrastructure delivery underpinned by expansion at Heathrow. We are keen to ensure our plans continue to be supported and shaped by local people as we prepare to deliver the economic boost Britain needs.”
