A third runway at Heathrow will be a shot in the arm for growth, and it’s clear that the airport’s own, shovel-ready plan is the only viable one around, says John Dickie

With party conference season wrapping up, all eyes are now turning towards the Autumn Budget and how the government can turn its growth ambitions into reality.

Ministers have made clear that airport expansion is central to their plans to secure economic lift off. The government approved plans to expand Stansted and London City Airport shortly after the election last year. Just last month, Gatwick received permission to bring its second runway into routine use. And seven years after parliament voted overwhelmingly in support of a third runway at Heathrow, the airport’s plans to invest tens of billions of pounds into the UK are now finally edging close to delivery.

Some critics have argued that expanding all these airports is misguided – claiming the extra capacity already approved undermines........

© City A.M.