Impact of Heathrow Expansion: A Theoretical Analysis

Running head: IMPACT OF HEATHROW EXPANSION: A THEORETICAL ANALYSIS
Impact of Heathrow Expansion: A Theoretical Analysis
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IMPACT OF HEATHROW EXPANSION: A THEORETICAL ANALYSIS
ABSTRACT
Developmental and Modernization activities have always been at the cost of the freedom and
rights of the citizens, and humanity at large. The enigmatic promises of some bright and brand
new innovation in form of a precious gift to eased up the lifestyle with an added touch of
glamour and pomp to it is so alluring that the underlying problems associated with it are more
often than not ignored, rather deliberately overlooked. The economic factor attached to the entire
process is something, which governs the entire process. Due to the execution of the machinations
of the nexus between the private enterprises and the government, the simple concerns of the
people of the country are jeopardized. This dissertation is thus based on how such quantitatively
measureable expressions of development is proving to be detrimental to the lives of people. For
the purpose of analysis and reviewing, the project on expansion of the Heathrow Airport at
London shall be taken up and discussed at length. In the list of one of the major, and one of the
busiest airports in the world, the Heathrow Airport of London finds a place in the top ranks. With
each passing year, the rate of traffic is also increasing rapidly, and so is the case for the inflow
and outflow of people from the country. This has necessitated the need for expanding the
infrastructural facilities of the airport in order to broaden the accommodative capacities for both
the aircrafts as well as for the people. This comes at the cost of displacing and dispossessing
people of their liberties. How has this taken place, in what proportion, and in what ways it is
affecting the people of the region surrounding the airport shall be scrutinized and based on it
some recommendations shall be provided.

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IMPACT OF HEATHROW EXPANSION: A THEORETICAL ANALYSIS
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction....................................................................................................................5
1.1 Problem Statement.................................................................................................................8
1.2 Research Aims and Objectives............................................................................................10
1.3 Research Questions..............................................................................................................11
1.4 Structure of the Research.....................................................................................................11
Chapter 2: Literature Review.........................................................................................................12
2.1 Introduction to Literature Review.......................................................................................12
2.2 Environmental aspects of the harmful impacts of the airport expansion.............................15
2.3 Impact of the extension on nature, wildlife and humans....................................................16
2.4 Analysis of the extension according to Accumulation by dispossession theory................18
2.5 Planning process of the National Policy Statement 2018....................................................19
2.6 Positive economic impacts of the expansion planning........................................................20
2.7 Outcome of the establishment of new runway at Heathrow Airport...................................22
2.8 Runway development and its impact on global phenomenon.............................................22
2.9 Socio-Cultural Impacts of the Runway extension project...................................................25
2.10 Increase in emission and its consequences.......................................................................29
2.11 Airport Expansion as Capitalist form of Urbanization......................................................32
Chapter 3: Research Methodology................................................................................................33
3.1 Introduction..........................................................................................................................33

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IMPACT OF HEATHROW EXPANSION: A THEORETICAL ANALYSIS
3.2 Research philosophy............................................................................................................34
3.3 Research approach...............................................................................................................34
3.4 Research Design..................................................................................................................34
3.5 Data collection process........................................................................................................35
3.6 Data Analysis.......................................................................................................................35
3.7 Ethical Consideration...........................................................................................................36
3.8 Accessibility issues..............................................................................................................36
Chapter Four: Data Analysis and Findings....................................................................................36
4.1 Theme 1: Social Implications..............................................................................................36
4.2 Theme 2: Environmental Implications................................................................................37
4.3 Theme 3: Economic Implication.........................................................................................38
4.4 Theme 4: Implementation of government policies..............................................................39
4.5 Findings...............................................................................................................................39
Chapter Five: Conclusion..............................................................................................................41
5.1 Conclusion...........................................................................................................................41
5.2 Recommendations................................................................................................................43
5.3 Contribution to Literature....................................................................................................44
5.4 Scope for Future Research...................................................................................................44
References......................................................................................................................................46
Appendix........................................................................................................................................51

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IMPACT OF HEATHROW EXPANSION: A THEORETICAL ANALYSIS

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IMPACT OF HEATHROW EXPANSION: A THEORETICAL ANALYSIS
Chapter 1: Introduction
The extremely busy airports in the United Kingdom had to handle the issues of serving
the commuters as well as the consumers who fell within the framework of list of passenger. The
airports in the United Kingdom have helped in maintaining a strong competition and also
offering lower pricing that are advantageous for all the passengers (Osborne 2015). The issue in
question is regarding the Heathrow airport and the issues pertaining to its social, cultural and
economic implications. The Heathrow airport has been the connecting airport and also the hub
airport that helps in bringing people from across the globe, along with helping them in their
trading endeavors. The airport has both economic as well as cultural importance as this airport
initiates connectivity as well as helps in connecting people. The airport helps in being a
stop/short-haul airport, which is treated as a route of commute for the people of United Kingdom
(Griggs and Howarth 2018).
Expansion of trade dimension depends largely on the expansion of the air transport and
for that new and improved air traffic needs to be maintain. More and more flights are essential to
be used as carriers of passengers and logistics, thus increasing connectivity automatically. The
growing economies will shot up due to the rapid expansion of new routes shall be added (Smith
2017). The Government has a big role to play and it shall make plans to regulate policies that
will help in expansion. The other countries will benefit highly from the growing expansion as
there will be more connectivity and also there shall be more improved air links that shall be
established with the help of the Government’s initiative. As per the directives of The Airports
Commission’s interim report, it is essential to expand the airports as there is congestion and
keeping in mind the growing congestion, it is essential to expand and also device better policies
to take into account the market implications (Griggs and Howarth 2018).

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IMPACT OF HEATHROW EXPANSION: A THEORETICAL ANALYSIS
Certain factors should be undertaken for handling the matter airport expansions. The
expansion also affects the ticket prices and the impact is significantly higher in cases on the
customers who are flying into the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom. The airport expansion will
also impact air connectivity and there arises issues relating to the direct connections that the
airports aim to establish in case of people flying to and fro United Kingdom. If there is a
connectivity issue that should be also part of the analysis, the choices that arises out of flying, is
better suited to meet the demands of the Heathrow than Gatwick. There are main two economic
implications of the airport expansion- one way is the method to manage cargo as well as
passengers and the implication is a business purpose. The business effects of the expansion are
very positive as they open many arenas for commerce. There are many environmental issues to
be dealt with like noise and air pollution (Parker 1971.). The airport expansion will have an
adverse impact on the environment and might also be one of the reasons in aiding global
warming. Protecting the environment is one of the key challenges that should be faced by every
Government and therefore along with improvising the aviation conditions, it is also important to
ensure that environment along with the societal implications of the expansion are addressed
(Griggs and Howarth 2016).
Initiation of employment and boosting economic activity requires improved air transport
and airports in a modern state. The expansion will help in increasing employment as more people
find ways to find employment options in the aviation industry. This is a direct impact of airport
expansion. On the other hand, there are some indirect impacts of the expansion as the airports are
placed at the top of the supply chain along with retail, employment that are related to the aviation
industry. The supply chain helps in advancing the interests of the consumers who take part in the
consumer chain and therefore it has an indirect economic impact. There are also multiplier

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IMPACT OF HEATHROW EXPANSION: A THEORETICAL ANALYSIS
effects of the supply chain that further advances the economic interests as the disposable income
that is earned through the above-mentioned effect helps in further financing. Along with the
environmental downsides, there are some economic impediments to the entire Heathrow
expansion plan and therefore, the aim of the research shall be to understand the economic, social
and the environmental impediments that are faced by the commuters and the aviation officers.
The western wedge along the Heathrow is famous for the bustling economy and they have a
strong and robust economy, which contribute to a wide range of economic benefits along with
giving employment options. There is more to the airport expansion other than the concept of
economics and therefore, it is essential to point out that the expansions will have a direct effect
on the passengers along with the freight members that are widely affected by the aviation
industry and its principles.
The expansion of the airport would deliver many economic benefits, however, from the
perspective of social and environmental issues, there will be wider implications in the future. The
research will study the various implications of the expansion and study the policy regime that has
to be taken into consideration to study the impacts on the private individuals. By studying the
National Policy Statement that was the basis for studying the consultation that have helped in
devising the plan as well as the draft, which forms the basis for analysis and examination.. The
perspective of scholars and academicians should be taken into consideration for evaluating the
pros and cons of expanding the Heathrow airport.
The expansion of the airport would undoubtedly affect the environment while giving a
boost to the social and economic aspect of the nation; both of which must be taken into
consideration. The complexities that arise out of the project should be studied and read in the
light of the operational issues that arises out of the runway plan and the key management issues