Heathrow says third runway could enable more domestic airport links

A third runway at Heathrow would enable the hub to develop more links with domestic airports and add millions to regional tourism economies, a report says.

New research by Frontier Economics highlights Belfast International, Cornwall Airport Newquay, Leeds Bradford Airport, Liverpool John Lennon and Teesside International Airport as the strongest candidates for new domestic links, based on evidence of underlying demand.

Almost five million passengers travelled on Heathrow’s 13 domestic routes in 2025, supporting an estimated £1.2 billion in gross tourism spending across the UK, said the airport.

However, with Heathrow operating at capacity, airlines often prioritise the use of limited slots for long-haul destinations – and, as a result, domestic connections have been lost.

Heathrow said if these top five routes were introduced and operated five days a week, the combined impact could be “significant”, generating about £335 million in additional tourism spending and supporting thousands of jobs in the UK’s tourism and hospitality sector.

Nigel Milton, chief communications and sustainability officer at Heathrow, said: “Domestic connectivity has always been central to Heathrow’s role as the UK’s only hub airport.

“With additional capacity, we can strengthen these vital connections and ensure every part of the country can benefit from Heathrow’s global network.”

Karen Dee, chief executive at Airports UK, added: “This report demonstrates that connecting our regional economies through enhanced direct links between our airports will bring more jobs, wealth, and prosperity.

“We encourage the government to move quickly to deliver the benefits that new capacity will bring to the UK economy.”

Tourism minister Stephanie Peacock said: “Strong domestic connectivity is vital to growing tourism in the UK, and Heathrow and its connections to regional airports play a critical role in this.

“This government has set an ambitious target of welcoming 50 million visitors a year by 2030, and we are developing a Visitor Economy Growth Strategy to provide a clear, long-term plan to unlock investment, support businesses and increase visitor flows across England.”

The report comes as the Civil Aviation Authority is consulting on regulatory models for an expanded Heathrow.

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