Airports Commission Backs Third Heathrow Runway

LONDON—London Heathrow airport has won the backing of a government-appointed panel for a third runway to address a looming runway capacity that has threatened to stifle Europe's biggest market for trans-Atlantic flights.

The landmark decision by the independent Airports Commission is a blow to rival contender Gatwick Airport and its private equity owner Global Infrastructure Partners who lobbied hard to be allowed to expand.

Building a new runway at Heathrow, Europe's busiest hub, could cost more than $20 billion.

Commission chairman, Howard Davies, said, "Heathrow is best-placed to provide the type of capacity which is most urgently required: long haul destinations to new markets. It provides the greatest benefits for business passengers, freight operators and the broader economy."

Nicholas Winning contributed to this story.

Write to Robert Wall at [e-mail]

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