Heathrow expansion 'should avoid moving M25', says BA boss

Heathrow Expansion and the M25 Debate

British Airways' CEO Sean Doyle has expressed that Heathrow Airport should be expanded without relocating the M25 motorway if possible. He acknowledged the practicality of building a third runway while keeping the motorway in place.

Government Proposals for Heathrow

Two main expansion plans are under consideration:

The first, proposed by Heathrow Airport Holdings, includes rerouting the motorway between Junctions 14 and 15 through an underground tunnel to accommodate a 3,500-metre runway.
The second, put forward by the Arora Group, suggests constructing a shorter 2,800-metre runway without moving the motorway.

Statements from Industry Leaders

"If you can avoid moving the M25, you should avoid moving the M25. I can’t argue against the logic of that. I think we should look at ways of potentially building a shorter runway." — Sean Doyle, British Airways CEO

"Moving the M25 is not avoidable if a third runway is to be built which provides the necessary boost to capacity." — Thomas Woldbye, Heathrow CEO

Woldbye also noted that a shorter runway would cost nearly the same but offer significantly reduced capacity, calling such a compromise illogical.

Summary

The debate centers on balancing expansion needs with infrastructure impacts, contrasting a full-length runway requiring motorway relocation against a shorter runway proposal to preserve the M25.

Author's Conclusion

Heathrow's expansion challenges highlight the tension between infrastructure impact and airport capacity growth, with leaders divided on whether moving the M25 is essential.

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Surrey Live — 2025-11-10

Heathrow Expansion and the M25 Debate

Government Proposals for Heathrow

Statements from Industry Leaders

Summary

Author's Conclusion

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