Heathrow says groups back expansion as Parliament reviews draft policy

Heathrow said on October 12 that trade unions, airlines, regional airports and investors support its expansion plans, as Parliament examines the draft policy framework for a possible third runway.

Reuters did not identify the organizations individually, so the airport’s claim does not establish how many organizations support the plans or how broad that backing is. The Department for Transport published the draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement in June 2026. It is not final and, if designated, would guide decisions on future development-consent applications; it would not itself authorize construction of a specific scheme.

The Transport Committee has scheduled evidence sessions for October 13 and 14. Heathrow Chief Executive Thomas Woldbye and Chief Development Officer Helen Elsby are listed to give evidence at 10:15 a.m. BST on October 14. The hearing is part of the committee’s scrutiny of the draft policy. Heathrow’s statement does not change the project’s consent status.