CAA to consult on recovery of early Heathrow third runway planning costs 

The aviation regulator is to consult on how early stage Heathrow third runway planning costs will be recovered.

The London hub has asked the Civil Aviation Authority to consider allowing its early costs, associated with submitting third runway proposals, to be recovered through charges to airlines.

Costs could include environmental assessments, legal advice, architectural design, land surveys and public consultation activities. 

The Arora Group, which has put forward a rival plan for a shorter third runway, has said that its early costs should be treated in the same way as those of Heathrow, according to the authority.

The CAA consultation will examine four options for cost recovery, with “safeguards to ensure only efficiently incurred costs directly related to expansion planning would be recoverable through Heathrow’s charges on airlines using the airport”.

A CAA statement said: "The regulator’s initial view is that allowing promoters with credible and appropriately mature proposals to recover efficient early costs could benefit consumers. 

“Competition between proposals promotes efficiency and ensures a thorough evaluation of options for this major infrastructure project. It also reduces the risk of passengers facing duplicate or wasteful spending.”

The consultation is running until September 10. 

A decision on the “principles and approach” to the recovery of early planning costs is expected by the end of September. Decisions on related issues to follow later in the year. 

“This supports the timely, efficient and effective expansion of capacity at Heathrow airport, consistent with the government’s timetable,” the CAA added. 

A spokesperson for the Arora Group said: “We welcome the CAA initial position that the bids should be treated equally, this is all we’ve ever asked for.”