The government is reportedly poised to back signifiant expansion of London-area airports.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to announce her support for a third runway at Heathrow.
She is also likely to approve plans to bring a second runway at Gatwick into full-time use and to increase capacity at Luton airport.
Reeves is understood to be preparing to use a speech on growth next week to declare the government’s backing for the expansion.
The proposals were first reported by Bloomberg News as the government attempts to provide reassurance that it has a plan for growth following tax rises for businesses in the chancellor’s first budget.
The government responded in a statement to The Times: “We are determined to get our economy moving and secure the long-term future of the UK’s aviation sector.
“All expansion proposals must demonstrate they contribute to economic growth, which is central to our ‘Plan for Change’, while remaining in line with existing environmental obligations.”
There is currently no application for a Heathrow third runway, known as a development consent order, but Reeves is expected to say that she would be supportive if one were made.
Heathrow said growing the economy meant adding capacity at the airport.
“That’s why we’re planning to unlock capacity by improving and upgrading our existing infrastructure, while also looking at potential options to deliver a third runway at Heathrow in line with strict tests on carbon, noise and air quality,” a spokesperson told the Financial Times.
Transport secretary Heidi Alexander is due to make a decision on bringing a second runway at Gatwick (pictured) into full-time use on February 27.
The work is part of a £2.2 billion project that would enable Gatwick to handle up to 75 million passengers a year by the late 2030s, up from the record 46.5 million using the single-runway airport in pre-pandemic 2019.
One person familiar with the government’s thinking was reported by the FT as suggesting a go-ahead for the scheme was an “absolutely sure thing” given its economic benefits and relatively straightforward environmental challenges.
Gatwick referred to a previous statement in which it said it had put forward a “strong” case for making best use of its existing infrastructure, while minimising noise and environmental impacts.
A decision on expanding Luton airport, which would involve using the existing runway to handle more flights, is due by April 3. The proposal is projected to create 12,000 jobs.
Luton airport’s passenger numbers continued to rise in 2024 and a strong end to the year took the total annual figure to 16.7 million.
Labour backed a near 40% increase in capacity at London City airport in August in one of its first major infrastructure decisions after taking power.
The government is also expected to sign off a Universal Studios theme park in Bedford.