Heathrow airport’s third runway

The expansion of London’s biggest airport, Healthrow airport, has been widely discussed for years. London is one of the largest cities in the world and the bridge between Europe and the US and has been the financial centre in Europe; it is almost surprising to see that London has been struggling to expand its biggest airport.

Healthrow airport is a company which does not have sufficient funding to build its third runway; therefore, if the third runway is going to be built, Healthrow airport has to seek substitutes from the government. The vote for whether a third runway is going to be built or not is held next Monday and the London Major has outspoken that if the parliament passes the plan to build a third runway, he will join the rally against the government decision. The people who are against the project believe that their tax money is unfairly paid to a company to build a third runway which do not benefit them significantly, especially many Londoners.

However, some of these people certainly ignore the externalities of expanding Healthrow airport. Yes, there are several airports in London, Healthrow is not the only one; however, Healthrow airport is probabily the most well-known airport. Expanding any other airport in London might not have as many positive externalities as expanding Healthrow airport. Of course, it is an option to build another new airport; however, expanding Healthrow airport could give a greater upgrade of its economies of scale, and building a new airport may not have a similar marginal benefit.

In general, I think that expanding Healthrow airport is a good thing for London as well as the UK; yes, it is expensive but worth it.