London, 29 January 2025: Opportunity Green responds to the UK government’s announcement of support for a third runway at Heathrow Airport. The move, confirmed today by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, has been met with concern from many environmental experts, who warn it contradicts the UK’s climate commitments and is not grounded in sound economic evidence.

James Meadway, Senior Director of Economics at Opportunity Green, says:

“The decision to push for a third runway at Heathrow is based on wishful thinking and bad economics. Airport expansion does not significantly add to growth in well-connected developed economies, as the economic evidence now shows. Business travel is falling whilst the UK runs a huge tourism deficit, with tourists from the UK spending £41bn more abroad than tourists from elsewhere bring in.  

But additional flight capacity will trash the government’s commitments to reducing emissions and ruin Britain’s international reputation as a climate leader. Sustainable aviation remains a very distant prospect, despite industry claims. Government time and money would be better spent delivering vital investment in public transport across the rest of the country.”