Analysis of the Proposed Heathrow Airport Expansion Project

This report provides a detailed analysis of the proposed expansion of London Heathrow Airport, examining the environmental, economic, and social impacts. The report employs a PESTLE framework, focusing on arguments both for and against the expansion. Environmental considerations include air pollution, biodiversity, and climate change, alongside potential technological mitigations and sustainability plans. Economically, the report assesses job creation, global competitiveness, and support for other industries, while also considering infrastructure costs and the impact on local taxpayers. Socially, the report discusses the growth in air travel, new airline routes, and the expansion's effects on communities. The report concludes by summarizing the complex trade-offs and challenges associated with the Heathrow expansion project.

THE HEATHROW EXPANSION

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1...........................................................................................................................................1
ENVIRONMENTAL.........................................................................................................................1
ECONOMIC....................................................................................................................................4
SOCIAL.........................................................................................................................................6
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
London Heathrow Airport is one of the largest international airport in London with
regarded to as 2nd busiest airport in Europe. It in 2017 is having record of handling about 78
million passengers with increase of about 3.1% (Gillen and Starkie, 2015). Thus it is playing
major role into upgrading and developing the economy of UK with providing 2.3 million jobs
helping other sectors like creative industries and financial service as well. Into this particular
report discussion would be made upon factors which are against and for favour of expansion of
London Heathrow Airport by 3rd runway and 6th terminal. The factors which would be considered
would be that of PESTLE focusing majorly on Environmental, Economic and Social so that
arguments could be set.
TASK 1
Environmental
Figure 1: London Heathrow – Third Runway
[Source: Heathrow still front runner for expansion despite setback, 2018]
As the decision to expand the airport was taken by government cabinet committee which
was headed by PM Theresa May in 2018. This decision was regarded to be taken into nation
interest and benefitting whole country that would be completed by 2026. However there are
certain factors which need to be considered before deciding over whether to expand the airport or
not. One of which are Environmental factors that are affecting the surrounding and impacting
ecological aspects as well (Airport environmental impacts, 2018). Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA) is that procedure which is used to apply of those projects which are taken over
by individual companies and could have impact on ecosystem. So as per its concern it could be
added that expansion of the airport could be impacting soil, humans, flora and fauna, air, climate
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change, cultural heritage, water, material assets and landscape as well. So some of the factors
against and some in favour of this expansion are explained as under:
Figure 2: Airport environmental impacts
[Source: Airport environmental impacts, 2018]
Arguments for:
Use of technology- It could be noted that development into technology will be largely
mitigating many of the negative impacts of airport. So to deal with this ever emerging problem
company could be using latest and modern technology and design the planes to make them more
efficient. They could also be using another form of fuel for their planes like biofuels, hydrogen,
solar panels and batteries (Griggs and Howarth, 2016). All these will be saving earth from
degrading of environment by the engine of aircraft and planes could also run on kerosene.
Sustainability leadership plan for London Heathrow Airport 2.0- As it was included into
their sustainability program that they would strictly adhere to all environmental limits such as
that of carbon emission (Airport environmental impacts, 2018). Thus the plan include that the
expansion of airport is not only choice between economy and environment but rather it is
considering positive impacts to both of these.
Different from 2009- It was also included that Heathrow have learnt from their past
mistake as they expanded in the year 2009 as well. So this new expansion would be different and
more advance then took place previously. Into this new developed plan London Heathrow would
consider less number of people getting affected by noise, low number of residential properties
destroyed and then there would be more green space for all wildlife or people living in nearby
places. This is the reason as to why this project is named as Heathrow 2.0. As it was included
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that airport would be proposing for flight ban to 6 ½ hours as before it was 5 hours in way of
insulation of increased noise pollution.
Figure 3: Key impacts caused by airport and aviation activities
[Source: Airport environmental impacts, 2018]
Arguments against:
Despite the above positive factors there are many negative or factors in against to this
expansion which could be noted.
Air pollution- There are many source of air pollution within the operations of airports and
planes which are flying into air. As it was clearly noted that Heathrow had breached the limit of
air pollution each year from the last decade especially with use of M25 and M4 motorways and
now this new 3rd runway would be even degrading the situation (Griggs and Howarth, 2017). The
combustion aviation fuel which is having products likes that of hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide
(CO), nitrogen oxide (NOx), sulphur oxide (SOx) and all combining to form kerosene. All of
these would in larger amount producing greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) that is very much
harmful to air. Thus this pollutant air would be causing harm to environment and health of
human or habitat as well.
Biodiversity- Apart from the air pollution there is also another type of problem which
would be caused to biodiversity including like that of animals and plants. These could be like
those of road kill, extent of habitats, and degradation to habitat and bird strike as well (Airport
environmental impacts, 2018). If there is expansion of the airport then this would be requiring
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loss of residential area or that of wildlife which is largely impacting them. The degradation of
habitat will be there thus harming plants, animals and even human churning of land will lead to
clearance of vegetation.
Climate change- This is the most negative impact which is there due to increase of
airports and plane schedule. As it is emitting the green house effects which is mainly cause due
to higher atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other harmful gases (Griggs
and Howarth, 2018). It was after Industrial Revolution only when there was increase of
temperature of UK which leads to 0.6-0.7 °C so this would also be impacting the risk of
expanding Heathrow.
Noise pollution- The aircrafts are making huge amount of noise which is always regarded
to as injurious to health of humans and animals which is caused by engine and airframe. All sort
of noise from aircraft or plane will be impacting traffic which will be going to and from airports
for probable impact as well. There are many ill effects of noise pollution like that of sleep
disturbance, loss of concentration, cardiovascular effects, fear of accidents and prolonged
exposure would lead to hypertension and ischaemic heart disease.
Economic
The expansion of Heathrow will be creating 3rd runway and 6th terminal within the airport
increasing noise, air pollution, impacting the environment and leading to climate changes as
well. While it was also included that there will be many economic impact upon people and other
services industry. As explained this is the largest airport of UK with contributing about £20
billion per year and creating 2.3 million jobs as well (Griggs and Howarth, 2018). It is also
impacting other sectors like financial and business service which are explained in details as
under.
Arguments for:
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Figure 4: Heathrow percentage employment
[Source: Airport environmental impacts, 2018]
Creating employment opportunity- As with the expansion of airport into larger area it
could be requiring huge number of resources especially in terms of human. Thus this would
include to have greater opportunity for employment by giving more number of direct job growth
to youth and other people. It was included that Heathrow would be employing more than 17500-
41000 people by 2030 as currently it is supporting to about 2.3 million jobs in all parts of airport.
Thus this would be leading to have positive impact on low skilled people who could be getting
job within airport. There will be employment impact on local community which could therefore
be less strongly positive than the sheer number (Griggs and Howarth, 2019). Highest numbers of
people who are living into Heathrow are been employed in transport and communication sector
only thus airport creating higher number of jobs.
Increasing global competitiveness of UK- As it was included that aviation sector of UK is
playing very much important role into upgrading of modern economy of country by offering lot
of opportunity to nation. The sector is currently contributing about £20 billion per year and
supporting job opportunities as well. UK is having its 3rd largest aviation sector into whole world
and is also serving highest number of routes that any other country of EU. This means that the
sector is also increasing the global competitiveness of UK into whole world by bringing more
number of opportunities into international markets. Signing up for the 3rd runway plan between
Heathrow and approved by government of UK was very much important and influencing
decision. This will be creating competitive advantage for the aviation sector of country so that it
could gain more customers, profits and revenue.
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Supporting other industries- This is the highest level of positive impact which aviation
sector is having that is known to as extended beyond the direct contribution of sector to
economy. The sector is contributing to increase in support for other sectors and industries also
like that of business, financial service and creative industries as well (Irvine, Budd and Pitfield,
2015). Thus expansion of Heathrow airport would be leading to have more support to these
industries as will be finding out new ways to important destination.
Arguments against:
Apart from the above included positive impact of expansion of Heathrow airport in UK
there is certain number of negative impact as well. As economically the expansion of airport will
be termed to as very much profitable and giving chance to increase rate of employment. Thus the
negative effects of the expansion of Heathrow airport included like that of:
Infrastructure cost- For building up of 3rd runway and 6th terminal in Heathrow airport the
total cost will be that of £14 billion that would be completed in year 2026 (Heathrow still front
runner for expansion despite setback, 2018). This shows that it could cost huge amount to
company and government which is included to be funded by private firms. The infrastructure
would include like that of building up of hotels, resorts and other construction related that would
be financed by larger companies.
Impact on local taxpayers- All the cost to infrastructure that is incorporated by private
investors would then is termed to as cost to local taxpayers only. It was included that the
development into tourism industry could lead to heavy cost to local government and local
taxpayers causing great deal of money (Martin, 2016). Thus this would also be having impact in
the increasing inflation which is leading to increase in demand and supply by service industry
and local people who would not be able to handle by their low wages.
Social
Arguments for:
Growth in air travel- There will be increasing trend of travelling for people as there
would be more number of runway and terminal in airport. The airport would be connecting more
number of countries of world which is also termed to as serving as means of transportation for
remote areas. Thus if airport is planning to expand its operation and connectivity then it could be
considered that this would be very much helpful for people who like to often travel by plane. It
was noted in one of the research survey that there are 51% of international tourist who would
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like to travel by air. However it was also included that aviation is also providing other important
services including those of delivery of emergency aid relief, medical service and organs for
transplantation as well.
New routes for airline- With the expansion of London Heathrow which is also termed to
as serving higher number of route than any other airport of EU (Mousavi and Naji, 2017). While
it was also noticed that it is facing very serve issues related to long term capacity so this having
more terminal and runway would be helpful for airport. If there is more increased number of
routes which airline is operating onto than this would mean that more people or customers would
be attracted towards air travel and it would be helpful for the frequent travellers.
Traveling trend- There would be more number of people planning for going or travelling
to aircraft and plane thus this means that trend of traveling through plane will automatically be
increased. There will be more number of people who would like to travel by plane to out of
London and from across other parts of world. People would be finding out time for their leisure
and experiencing culture and heritage of other nations. Thus this would be leading to overall
growth of world tourism with that of UK’s and improving standard of living of people and
decreasing poverty as well.
Arguments against:
In addition to these above stated arguments in favour of expansion of Heathrow airport
there are also some negative social impact of expansion of airport would be like that of:
Health effects from flying- It could be included that travelling regularly from plane would
be causing health issues and impact the passengers who are flying (Wolfe, Kramer and Barrett,
2017). This could also be elaborated that if any person is traveling across the time zones that
there body would be confused with clock and can lead to jet leg. Other than these there are also
some other health issue which are caused to passengers who are travelling into longer distance
like that of travel fatigue, stress and deprivation from sleep (Social Impacts, 2018). Thus all these
would be in combination leading to reduce in decision making ability, communication, attention
and memory as well. there are many other issue which are faced by them like that of obesity,
blood clot formation, risk of permanent hearing loss, exposure to cosmic ray radiation which is
mainly caused by travelling to nearby place of North Pole.
Health problems from pollution- Plane and aircrafts are mainly reason of high air and
noise pollution which would negatively impacting the health of local people. So there are
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different and many reason which arise for those people who are living into vicinity of airports.
Like noise pollution will be leading to damage to wildlife and habitat, impact health of people,
risk of permanent hearing loss, hypertension and even jet leg (Social Impacts, 2018). They would
be feeling annoyed and leading to more poor quality of health for those people who are more
exposed to noise pollution. Air pollution is also another reason which is having its negative
social impacts on people. There are number of disease which is caused due to air pollution
especially to those areas which are leading to urban area. There will be emission of harmful
gases like that of VOC, sulphur, ozone, carbon monoxide, particular matter and nitrogen oxide.
Terrorism and faulty airplane management- This is having lot of issue which is faced by
airports as the increasing attack terrorism and also some faulty airplane management that would
be leading to death of many people (Nulman, 2015). Like in terrorist attack of 9/11 there were
about 3000 people who were killed and 2500 contaminants were released into air causing air
pollution like that carcinogen.
CONCLUSION
From the above debate it could be analysed that there are many negative and positive
impact of expansion of the London Heathrow airport. However it could also be included that
apart from the negative social, economic and environmental effect of the expansion the decision
of expansion could be very profitable for growth of aviation sector of UK.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Gillen, D. and Starkie, D., 2015. Congested hubs, the eu slot regulation and incentives to invest.
Griggs, S. and Howarth, D., 2016. The third runway at Heathrow. In The politics of airport
expansion in the United Kingdom. Manchester University Press.
Griggs, S. and Howarth, D., 2017. Discourse, policy and the environment: hegemony,
statements and the analysis of UK airport expansion. Journal of Environmental Policy &
Planning, pp.1-15.
Griggs, S. and Howarth, D., 2018. So Close, but so Far? The Davies Commission and the
Contested Politics of UK Airport Expansion. The Political Quarterly.
Griggs, S. and Howarth, D., 2018. The Airports Commission, the Dilemmas of Political
Leadership and the Third Runway at Heathrow Airport. The Political Quarterly.
Griggs, S. and Howarth, D., 2019. The Airports Commission, depoliticisation and the third
runway at Heathrow airport. In Comparing Strategies of (De) Politicisation in Europe (pp.
79-102). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.
Irvine, D., Budd, L.C. and Pitfield, D.E., 2015. A Monte-Carlo approach to estimating the
effects of selected airport capacity options in London. Journal of Air Transport
Management, 42, pp.1-9.
Martin, S., 2016. Strategic Airport Capacity Management at Heathrow. Impact, 2(1), pp.7-12.
Mousavi, A. and Naji, A.R., 2017. Application of Discrete Event Simulation in Measuring
Pollutant Emissions: A case study for London Heathrow (LHR). Yayınlanmamış makale
taslağı.
Nulman, E., 2015. Dynamic interactions in contentious episodes: social movements, industry,
and political parties in the contention over Heathrow’s third runway. Environmental
Politics, 24(5), pp.742-761.
Wolfe, P.J., Kramer, J.L. and Barrett, S.R., 2017. Current and future noise impacts of the UK
hub airport. Journal of Air Transport Management, 58, pp.91-99.
Online:
Airport environmental impacts. 2018. [Online]. Accessed through:
<http://greencleanguide.com/airport-environmental-impacts/>.
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Heathrow still front runner for expansion despite setback. 2018. [Online]. Accessed through:
<https://www.internationalairportreview.com/article/21658/heathrow-still-front-runner-for-
expansion-despite-setback/>.
Social Impacts. 2018. [Online]. Accessed through:
<https://sites.google.com/a/cornell.edu/sustainable-solutions-for-the-aviation-industry/
airline-industry/social-impacts>.
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