The third runway at London’s Heathrow airport has won government approval. Here we round up news, analysis and discussion from Travel Weekly and elsewhere
Map: Where the third runway will be built
Heathrow expansion on Travel Weekly
On the web
Discussion on Twitter
News: The announcement
- Heathrow third runway gets go-ahead [Guardian]
- Third runway to take off [Scotsman]
News: Oppostition
- ‘Quit Britain’ protest after Heathrow plans approved [Metro]
- Boris pledge to fight third runway plan in the courts [ThisIsLondon]
- Campaigners to carry out ‘direct action’ to stop Heathrow expansion [Times]
Opinion
The BBC has an interactive map plotting local residents’ opinions on Heathrow expansion, with commentary from protestors, students, businessmen and homeowners.
Fraser Nelson argues for improving Heathrow before expanding it in the staunchly Tory Spectator.
The Daily Mail has aggregated opinions from its writers, with city editor Alex Brummer coming out against expansion and political commentator Edward Heathcote-Armory remaining undecided.
Aviation expert David Learmount, blogging for Travel Weekly’s stablemate Flight International, is sceptical about the future of the Heathrow project: “A period of at least five years will elapse [before work begins] and massive political and legal challenges will be mounted to reverse the decisions.”
Discussion
The BBC’s Have Your Say asks Does Heathrow need a third runway? Opinion is divided, and some commenters are arguing that regional airports should be developed instead. Anna Hunt in Leicester says, “Manchester or Birmingham are far more accessible for most of the inhabitants of this country”.
Ask500People: Global poll
We’re trying to gauge what the world thinks about Heathrow expansion with Ask500People – see the votes so far and add your own below…