Heathrow has welcomed the government’s decision to support its expansion and confirmed it will begin work to deliver the new runway that will connect all of Britain to the world.

The decision declares Britain “open for business”, according to the airport.

Expanding Heathrow will keep Britain growing at the heart of the global economy, do more than any other infrastructure project to share economic growth all around the UK and deliver more competition and choice for passengers, added Heathrow.

Independent polling in June 2016 showed that almost 70 per cent of MPs polled support expansion of the west London airport.

Since then the Scottish government has endorsed a third runway at Heathrow as having the biggest jobs and growth benefits for Scotland.   

Expansion of Heathrow is also supported by business, trade unions and airlines as the best solution to Britain’s aviation capacity crunch. 
Supporters include the CBI, BCC, chambers of commerce across the country, Unite, the GMB, 37 British airports and airlines such as easyJet and Flybe, which plan to operate from an expanded Heathrow. 

In constituencies close to the airport polling has shown there is more backing than opposition.

The government’s decision follows the unanimous and unambiguous recommendation of the Airports Commission last summer after a two and a half year, £20 million study. 

The commission confirmed that expanding Heathrow would have the biggest economic benefits for the UK and can be done while reducing noise for local communities and in accordance with EU air quality law.

When it opens in 2025, new airport hub capacity will allow up to 40 more long haul destinations, such as Wuhan, Osaka and Quito, making Britain the best connected country in the world.

It will increase the number of domestic routes served, ensuring every region and nation of the UK can get to global markets and increase cargo capacity, supporting Britain’s exporters.

Heathrow is one of the most experienced infrastructure delivery companies in the UK having spent £11 billion over a decade to transform into the best hub airport in Europe. 

John Holland-Kaye, chief executive of Heathrow Airport, said: “Today, the team at Heathrow start the important work to deliver the vital new runway that the UK needs to compete in the world.

“A new runway will open trade routes and create jobs up and down the UK. Heathrow will play a key role in making our country stronger and fairer for everyone.

“We look forward to working with Government, businesses, airlines, the CAA and our local communities to deliver an airport that is fair, affordable and secures the benefits of expansion for the whole of the UK.”