The very first new images of Heathrow Airport’s proposed third runway development have been released, including new terminal facilities, which remain subject to approval as the UK government approaches ‘decision time’ at the end of this year.

 

These images have been released ahead of the government’s announcement at the end of this year as to whether Heathrow or Gatwick will get the green light for airport expansion.

 

In its presentation, Heathrow management says that if it is given the go ahead, its north-west runway will be 3,500m long and be capable of handling any commercial airliner of any size that it is available today.

 

 

Just as importantly, Heathrow’s planners say they are also considering a new terminal to be constructed to the west of Terminal 5 and an area for a new business park. There are also plans to develop Heathrow’s Central Terminal Area with a series of new hotels, while reconfiguring traffic management to make it more efficient

 

This would involve a ‘catalyst effect’ to improve the M25 – Europe’s busiest motorway – by expanding it to comprise 14 lanes, although Heathrow won’t be paying for that.

 

 

If approval is given, them two main passenger terminals and transport hubs known as Heathrow West (Terminals 5 and 6) and Heathrow East (an extended Terminal 2) will be connected by an underground passenger transit and baggage system. Heathrow management adds that minimum connection times for passengers between terminals will also fall from 75 to 60 minutes.

 

Land set aside for commercial developments such as offices and hotels is designed to provide sufficient space to replace commercial premises lost to the third runway, while a three-runway Heathrow is expected to be able to deliver up to 740,000 flights a year.

 

 

Airport management says this is enough for Heathrow to compete on an equal footing with Paris, Frankfurt and Amsterdam, while providing sufficient hub-airport capacity until ‘at least 2040’.

 

As reported by TRBusiness many times, the UK government is due to make its decision on a new third runway at Heathrow or a second runway at Gatwick by Christmas.