Heathrow Airport’s third runway seems set to fall victim to political expediency - yet again

Rumours are growing that the UK's Labour Party will try to block the construction of a third runway at London Heathrow Airport (LHR R3) when it is debated by Parliament at a so far unspecified date in the first half of 2018, on the grounds of 'environmental concerns'.

The current Conservative minority government previously accepted the recommendation of the Airports Commission which in Oct-2016 opted for an additional runway at Heathrow over the expansion of Gatwick Airport, nominating the northern runway preference over an alternative proposal that would extend a runway for dual take off and landing operation.

Now suggestions are even re-emerging of a renewed focus on using regional airport expansion instead of a Heathrow solution.