Businesses back Heathrow bid to run third runway

A coalition of prominent British and international brands has called on ministers to throw their support behind Heathrow Airport Limited’s (HAL) blueprint for a third runway, arguing that its proposal offers the strongest economic return for the UK.

In a letter to transport secretary Heidi Alexander, senior figures from companies including Burberry, Caffè Nero, Fortnum & Mason, Arup, Fuller’s and Walkers Shortbread urged the government to select HAL as the delivery body for the airport’s long-awaited expansion.

The signatories – all part of the Heathrow Business Coalition – said Heathrow’s in-house plan provides retailers, suppliers and exporters with the most coherent and commercially viable option.

“Heathrow is a brand we choose to operate within as a trusted partner, ensuring a consistent, high-quality experience our customers can rely on,” the group wrote. They argued that allowing the airport operator to oversee its own growth would ensure a unified vision, simpler commercial negotiations and better trading conditions for firms based at the hub.

Their intervention comes as the government, for the first time in Heathrow’s history, weighs competing bids to construct and run the multibillion-pound expansion. Alongside HAL’s £50bn proposal, ministers are also assessing a rival scheme known as Heathrow West, backed by hotel entrepreneur Surinder Arora.

The two submissions, lodged in July, outline markedly different approaches. Arora’s concept employs a shorter 2,800mrunway – a move designed to avoid shifting the M25, reduce construction complexity and keep overall costs closer to £25bn. The idea won high-profile backing this week from the head of British Airways, who argued that “if you can avoid moving the M25, you should avoid moving the M25”.

HAL, however, continues to champion a standard-length 3,200m runway, insisting that only its design provides the capacity required to maximise economic benefits and accommodate a full range of long-haul aircraft. While Arora maintains that more than 99% of flights could still operate safely on the shorter strip, HAL’s supporters say the longer runway is essential for securing direct links to high-growth markets and supporting larger aircraft types favoured by exporters.

In their letter, coalition members stressed that Heathrow’s expansion has direct implications for the businesses that rely on the airport for international trade.

“As direct users of Heathrow, we represent suppliers, retailers and exporters who contribute to the airport’s success,” they wrote. “Growth at Heathrow – led by Heathrow Airport Limited – translates into growth for our businesses, and HAL’s proposal delivers the strongest economic opportunity for the UK.”

The Department for Transport has said it expects to confirm its preferred design before the end of the month.