Heathrow has indicated that its planned third runway will open closer to 2039 than 2035, pushing back the timeline it set out in its first-quarter 2025 results published on 30 April 2025, when it said it aimed for the runway to be operational by 2035 depending on the Government's response.

In a statement to Reuters, a Heathrow spokesperson said 2035 had been an "ambitious target". The airport added: "Our focus has always been to secure planning permission by 2029. Once achieved the runway will be open within a decade."

That formulation matches the UK Government timetable Heathrow referenced in January 2026: secure planning permission by 2029 and bring the runway into operation within a decade — a window that runs to 2039. Heathrow did not respond to a request for comment.

What does the shift mean for capacity?

The four-year difference has direct consequences for airlines and freight forwarders counting on additional slots at Europe's busiest hub. A runway opening in 2039 rather than 2035 delays the capacity uplift that HAL's expansion scheme is designed to deliver, extending the period in which Heathrow operates under its current two-runway constraint.

The scheme itself remains on track procedurally. In November 2025, the government announced it had decided to back the Heathrow Northwest Runway scheme proposed by Heathrow Airport Limited. The plans include a 3.5 km runway and a tunnel under the development carrying the M25 motorway.

The Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement said the scheme "offered the most credible and deliverable option and would be the scheme to inform the Airports NPS review".

How does the planning process advance?

In January, Logistics UK welcomed Heathrow's approval of funding to begin work on a planning application for the third runway. Funding the planning application is an important initial step in securing planning approval by the 2029 target.

Heathrow is now preparing to launch its 2026 Public Consultation. Key dates:

• The consultation runs for eight weeks, from 27 October to 22 December
• Local residents will be able to learn more about expansion plans
• A planning application follows the consultation

What is the cargo picture at Heathrow now?

Heathrow moved 1.5 million tonnes of cargo in 2025, up 0.8% year on year. Within that total, UK cargo surged 29.7% and North America traffic rose 4.6%.

The airport is not waiting on the runway to redevelop its cargo infrastructure. Alongside HAL's new-runway scheme, Heathrow is using a participatory stakeholder approach as it continues to redevelop its 'Horseshoe' cargo area and supports the rollout of the CCS-UK AIS (Advance Information System) portal for booking and monitoring trucks.

For an airport already handling 1.5 million tonnes annually with constrained runway capacity, the redevelopment of the Horseshoe area and the digitalization of truck movements represent near-term efficiency gains that do not depend on the planning timetable.

What comes next?

The eight-week consultation opening on 27 October is the next concrete milestone. If Heathrow secures planning permission by 2029, the airport's own stated commitment is a runway operational within a decade — pointing to an opening closer to 2039 than the 2035 date it once targeted.