Cabinet to discuss Heathrow and Gatwick expansion

The cabinet is to discuss the expansion of Heathrow and Gatwick airports on Tuesday before a decision is officially made, according to BBC News.

The Economic Affairs Transport sub-committee, which is chaired by Prime Minister Theresa May, will make the final choice later on whether to go ahead with building a third runway at Heathrow, a runway extension there or a new runway at Gatwick.

It is understood that a third runway at Heathrow airport is favoured as it would bolster May’s pro-business credentials and help ailing business confidence since the Brexit vote.

The decision has previously been put off to avoid clashes with London’s mayoral election, to consolidate votes in constituencies in west London close to Heathrow and opposition from environmental groups.

The cabinet is reportedly divided over airport expansion, with education secretary Justine Greening and foreign secretary, and former Mayor of London, Boris Johnson opposed to a third runway at Heathrow.

According to the Telegraph, May has been warned by her ministers that she would be making a mistake by backing Heathrow as the new runway would be tied up in legal challenges for decades.

Former Chancellor George Osborne took to Twitter to lobby for a Heathrow expansion on Friday.

"Time for a decision on airports and go for Heathrow. Economic case overwhelming; connects Northern Powerhouse; ensures Britain is open to the world.

"If we want Britain to be outward-looking, free-trading and global, we must expand the great airport that connects us to that world and that trade."

A new runway is expected to cost around £18.6bn, more than half of what a new runway at Gatwick will cost around £9.3bn.

In 2016, 75m passengers were forecast to use Heathrow and it is currently operating at 99% capacity, with both airports handling 45% of Britain's passengers.