Heathrow Charges to Rise Over Third Runway Plans
Heathrow passengers could face slightly higher ticket prices after the UK Civil Aviation Authority approved a mechanism allowing the airport to recover early spending on its proposed third runway. The money will be collected through regulated charges paid by airlines, which may pass those costs into fares. The decision covers planning and development work carried out before the expansion has received final consent.
What the Runway Cost Decision Covers
- Regulator: UK Civil Aviation Authority
- Affected airport: London Heathrow
- Project: Proposed third runway expansion
- Heathrow recovery cap: £320 million for costs incurred in 2025 and 2026
- Heathrow West allowance: £4.1 million
- Estimated charge increase: Around 15p per passenger in 2028, rising to about 30p later
- Expected recovery period: 20 to 25 years
- Planning status: Final approval has not yet been granted
Airlines using Heathrow pay regulated airport charges for each passenger, and carriers often build those costs into ticket prices. The CAA estimates the first increase at about 15p per traveller in 2028, rising to roughly 30p later. There will be no separate runway fee at checkout, but the added cost could remain within fares for two decades, even before the proposed runway is completed.
If the third runway is eventually approved and built, Heathrow says annual capacity could rise to 756,000 flights and 150 million passengers. That could support more routes, additional frequencies and easier connections through London. However, this decision does not introduce new services or change current schedules. The project still faces planning, environmental and regulatory stages before construction or additional flights can begin.
The first increase is expected to be small, but the repayment period could last 20 to 25 years. Travellers will not see a separate runway fee when booking; any effect is more likely to sit within the ticket price. The larger issue is that passengers may start funding development work years before a new runway opens, while arrangements for costs incurred after 2026 remain undecided.