Heathrow’s boss says a final decision on the controversial third runway is due in 2025.

LONDON — Heathrow’s chief executive said Monday he would press the U.K. government for a final decision on building a third runway at the London airport by the end of 2025, adding that in the latest talks “Positive momentum” is observed.

Thomas Woldby told the Airlines 2024 conference that the airport needed the extra capacity and it would support the government’s economic development and industrial strategy. However, he said it was ultimately up to the state to approve the plans, which have been highly controversial for decades.

“Heathrow is running out of capacity… so if we want to go beyond a certain number at Heathrow, whether it’s 90 million passengers or something around that, we need a third runway,” the debate said. “No,” said Woldby.

“So the next thing is, then how do we know, if that’s what we want. ‘We’ here is not just Heathrow, it’s the airlines, it’s the government, it’s the parliament, it’s everybody around us.” “Because if the UK doesn’t want a runway, and it’s not for Heathrow, the transport strategy is a government issue,” Woldby said. It was not an easy decision.”

“The plan is there, we know how to build it. It’s been there for a long time,” he continued. “I’m leaving. [the U.K. government] And with all that said, there is demand. But this will be the biggest infrastructure project in UK history, so we have to ask the government, are you along for the ride? If not, we forget it.”

Woldby added that there was “definitely positive momentum” behind such talks. New Labor administrationand that they expect a final decision by the end of 2025 “one way or another.”

“Otherwise we continue to waste money and time. I am serious about making a decision and making the right decision,” which will guide the UK’s overall strategy, he said. Woldby explained that if the project gets government approval but no public funding, the airport will have to present a clear, cost-effective proposal to Heathrow’s shareholders for what they think is possible. He will get help.

He said the airport is trying to maximize capacity through efficiency measures on its existing two runways and is preparing a development plan that does not include a third runway.

UK Transport Secretary Louise High, speaking at the same conference earlier in the day, said: “I will always support airport expansion as long as it grows our economy and meets our environmental commitments.”

Discussions and plans to build a third runway at Europe’s busiest airport have been ongoing for nearly two decades Subject to numerous government and statutory reviews, and public consultation.

Environmental groups Like friends of the earth Heathrow expansion is strongly opposed on the grounds that it will increase greenhouse gas emissions and harm local wildlife. Others say it will Increased noise pollution and traffic in a busy residential area, and requiring significant public disruption including major works to the M25, the main road around London.

In 2020, the UK’s highest court overturned a lower court ruling that found the previous government’s approval of a third runway was illegal because it did not take into account the country’s commitments under the Paris Agreement. what was

Heathrow’s expansion will be welcomed by many airlines, which have long lamented the stiff competition and high costs to buy flight slots at the transport hub.

Heathrow’s passenger numbers are expected to increase to 79 million in 2023 from 62 million in 2022. The airline had a record 80.9 million passengers in 2019.

Under the The airport expansion proposal was released six years ago.which is Expected to be updated, the project will see the construction of a new terminal building to replace the existing Terminal 3, as well as a third runway to the northwest of its existing two.

Its operations are currently limited to 480,000 flights, while its current plan will add another 260,000 flights to that number.