City AM reports Downing Street reassurances over Heathrow expansion

Advisers to British Prime Minister Andy Burnham have privately reassured aviation industry figures that the government still supports Heathrow's third runway, City AM reports, citing three people in the sector.

Doubts followed Burnham's appearances ahead of Labour's conference. In a BBC interview, he described expansion as a matter for London and its residents and said consultation responses should be considered first. As Manchester mayor, Burnham had previously called for the third runway to be abandoned.

According to City AM, government advisers told industry representatives that the prime minister's remarks did not mean the project had lost support. The report concerns private contacts with the sector, rather than a final construction approval.

The Department for Transport told the publication that Heathrow expansion could deliver around £40 billion in economic benefits across Britain. It said it supports airport expansion subject to environmental requirements and is reviewing responses to the consultation on the project's policy framework.

Government documents confirm that consultation on the Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement closed on September 1. Consideration of responses and parliamentary scrutiny must precede a final framework for assessing development applications.

City AM expects competing proposals from Heathrow Airport Limited and Heathrow West, backed by Surinder Arora. It also reports that Heathrow Airport Limited now envisages delivery in 2039 rather than its initial 2035 target, assuming approvals remain on schedule. Selection of a scheme and construction permission are still to come.