The UK Government has outlined its strategy to balance the need for airport expansion while also staying committed to its promise of sustainability in aviation
The UK Government recognises that air travel significantly contributes to the economy, supporting billions in GDP and creating thousands of jobs.
As air travel is becoming cheaper and more accessible, the demand for air travel grows, and capacity limitations at key airports, especially in southeast England, present a serious challenge.
Airport expansion
Air connectivity is vital to the UK’s economy. Airports, especially Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport, play a key role in global trade and passenger traffic.
With the UK’s only hub airport reaching near full capacity, the government now argues that expanding Heathrow could be and essential step in maintaining and enhancing the country’s global connectivity.
This is particularly important for long-haul flights, as Heathrow is the main departure point for most of these air freight routes, which pass through the airport at a high volume.
The government’s plan to curb this issue is to create a third runway at Heathrow. This expansion would help meet growing demand and also create economic benefits such as adding billions to the economy and creating over 100,000 new jobs.
By addressing and working on the capacity issues, the government hopes to reduce delays, lower airfares, and ensure that the UK remains competitive against other European transport hubs.
However, the government understands that this will not be a simple process. They have clarified that Heathrow will be subject to strict environmental and legal obligations.
These include a commitment to the UK’s climate commitments, which means that the expansion must not undermine the country’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. The government has promised to review the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS) once formal runway proposals are received, ensuring that economic benefits are weighed carefully against environmental and social considerations.
Transitioning to greener aviation
The government has overall visions for a sustainable aviation sector, and some plans are already taking place to reduce the environmental impact of air travel.
A key part of this transition is the push for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), which is seen as a key component for reducing the aviation industry’s carbon footprint.
SAF is produced from renewable resources, and when used to replace traditional jet fuel, it can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 70%.
In January 2025, the government introduced a law requiring that 2% of aviation fuel in the UK must come from sustainable sources, with targets to increase this to 10% by 2030 and 22% by 2040.
This is part of a wider commitment to net-zero emissions from aviation by 2050. To help meet these targets, the government is also making important financial investments in SAF production. A £63 million investment will be allocated to the Advanced Fuels Fund, which will support the development of SAF producers across the UK, particularly in regions like Teesside. This fund is designed to accelerate the growth of the SAF industry, create jobs, and reduce emissions from the aviation sector.
The government has also responded to the mechanism to provide revenue certainty for SAF producers.
A consultation on this mechanism has been completed, and the next steps will be announced soon. The aim is to create an environment that encourages long-term investment in SAF technology, ensuring the UK becomes a leader in clean aviation fuel production.
The government’s commitment to balancing airport expansion with environmental responsibility is evident in its support for Heathrow’ third runway and its investment in sustainable aviation fuels. Expanding Heathrow’s capacity will allow for continued economic growth and global competitiveness, while the SAF mandate represents a significant step toward a cleaner, more sustainable aviation industry.
