I am sorry for false promise, says Heathrow chief
Heathrow Airport’s new CEO John Holland-Kaye has apologised to local residents for the lie told by the airport when it promised not to build a third runway.
Holland-Kaye said he was shocked by a commitment made by the airport’s previous owner, BAA, made almost 20 years ago, to permanently rule out another runway.
Speaking at the Airports Commission public consultation on increasing airport capacity in the southeast of England, he said: "I am shocked by that commitment. It should never have been made. And it could never be kept.
"That is not an excuse. It is an apology.
"I am sorry Heathrow made that commitment."
Holland-Kaye, who took over as CEO of Heathrow in July, said the false commitment had ‘hung over the relationship with local communities, and has led to a deficit of trust that can only be repaired by demonstrating we are a different company from the past’.
He also said the airport had not done enough to listen to local concerns about previous plans for a third runway and that it should have done more to reduce aircraft noise and to ensure those who stood to lose their homes or suffered more noise due to a third runway were treated fairly.
"We should have done more to help local people access the jobs that would come from expansion," he added.
"If there was a sense economic benefits should trump environmental costs, or national benefits should hold sway over local disruption, then I am sorry. We got it wrong."
He said the latest proposal for a full length runway, located further west and with an approach over the M4, will allow respite from noise for those living under the flightpath, it will get rid of ‘routine plane stacking over London’, build better flood defences, create more open spaces connected by cycle paths and work with schools and universities to make sure children today will have the skills needed to fulfill the 40,000 new jobs needed in an expanded Heathrow.
Holland-Kaye acknowledged the new proposal will lead to the loss of 750 homes and he said those whose homes would be demolished if the new runway is approved will receive 25% above market value and others whose homes won’t be demolished but who wish to move will receive the same compensation as those whose homes will be compulsorily purchased.
Other improvements revealed by Holland-Kaye include better public transport and strict environmental limits on air pollution.
Ending his charm offensive, he said a third runway would boost economic growth by up to £211 billion and create up to 180,000 new jobs across the UK.
The Airports Commission has invited public consultation on proposals for expanding capacity at both Heathrow and Gatwick before making its final recommendations to the Government next year.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt