• Logistics UK has welcomed the agreement to fund the planning application for Heathrow’s third runway, calling it a positive step toward addressing the shortage of air cargo capacity in the South East and boosting international trade.
• CEO Ben Fletcher noted the economic potential of expanding Heathrow — the UK’s largest port by value — but also highlighted the significant challenges ahead. The planning process alone is expected to cost hundreds of millions of pounds and must still navigate complex regulatory and planning hurdles.

It is a positive step that funding of the planning application for Heathrow’s third runway has been agreed, says Logistics UK, as the project has the potential to increase airfreight capacity significantly and boost trade. But, as the business group’s Chief Executive Ben Fletcher explains, the announcement also highlights the struggle involved in getting large infrastructure projects off the ground:

“A third runway at Heathrow will help address the significant shortage of air cargo capacity in the South East, and it is a significant step that funding for the planning application has been agreed. Heathrow Airport is the UK’s biggest port in terms of value, handling over £200 billion worth of cargo every year, and increasing freight capacity should boost the economy by making international connections for UK businesses even easier.

“However, we must acknowledge the tremendous expense and risk involved in building large scale infrastructure projects in the UK. The planning application alone is expected to cost hundreds of millions of pounds, and there is still significant red tape to navigate, including CAA approvals and planning reforms, before any ground is broken.

“The third runway project will be a good test of the government’s infrastructure strategy. It will become clear whether there really is a long-term strategic view of infrastructure and a genuine commitment to end the stop-start processes that have held back progress in the past.”