Travel Weekly: Airlines welcome CAA review into Heathrow regulations as third runway debate intensifies

Published in Travel Weekly (available online here), Wednesday 26th November 2025

A review of regulations covering Heathrow will take place by the aviation regulator after the government backed the airport’s multi-billion pound third runway expansion proposal.

A working paper for consultation on Heathrow’s regulatory model was published by the Civil Aviation Authority, which also "explores whether an alternative model for capacity expansion could better serve the interests of consumers using the airport”.

The disclosure was welcomed by airlines amid concerns that costs could spiral alongside the project.

The list of potential new models has been developed based on submissions from stakeholders, including both Heathrow and Heathrow Reimagined - the industry coalition including Arora Group which put forward a proposal for a cheaper, shorter third runway - and “exploring regulatory models used across other industries and internationally”, according to the CAA. 

A recommendation for the regulatory model to be applied at Heathrow is expected to emerge in spring 2026 once industry responses to the working paper have been assessed. 

The paper out for consultation points out that charges are likely to rise from £24.28 to £33.26 under the current two runway configuration.

But it adds that ”airport charges could increase significantly beyond this level in the context of major capacity expansion at Heathrow. 

"An increase in charges of this magnitude (either under the two-runway configuration or with expansion) are likely to result in HAL’s [Heathrow Airport Limited] charges significantly exceeding current charges at other airports even after controlling for other relevant factors.”

It also points out that Heathrow’s charges “appear high compared to other airports that are subject to a greater degree of competition.