Heathrow is spending billions of pounds upgrading two terminals

It’s official, the huge Heathrow expansion is a-go. The airport has confirmed a multi-billion pound investment plan to expand two of its terminals ahead of applying for the government’s permission to build a third runway this summer.

Heathrow’s chief executive Thomas Woldbye said he wants planes to take off from a new third runway in as soon as 10 years’ time. Both terminals two and five, meanwhile, will get significantly expanded. 

The west London hub already one of the world’s busiest airports, but Heathrow has lofty plans to become even bigger. Revealing the privately-funded expansion plans, Woldbye said the airport’s makeover would include upgrading the terminal buildings  to ‘enhance passenger experience and improve resilience and sustainability’.

‘This privately funded programme will upgrade existing infrastructure while laying the groundwork for a third runway, boosting UK investment and economic growth, with tangible benefits felt this year,’ he said.

Last month Chancellor Rachel Reeves said she would back a third Heathrow runway as it would help drive economic growth in the UK, but this sparked climate concerns as many said this move would be at odds with the government’s target to be net zero by 2050. The third runway is already controversial, with London Mayor Sadiq Khan previously saying he would ‘use any tool in the toolkit’ to block the aviation hub’s expansion. 

Heathrow is one of three London airports set to undergo massive makeovers in the next few years, with Luton and Gatwick expansions also on the cards. 

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