希思罗机场获准提高收费以回收跑道扩建前期成本

英国民航局批准希思罗机场有限公司从2024年起追回第三跑道扩建计划的3.2亿英镑前期支出1。这笔成本将通过提高对航空公司的收费转嫁给乘客，预计在20至25年内完全回收1。根据计划，2028年每位乘客的机场费用将增加约15便士，之后每年增加30便士1。

竞争方案希思罗西部也获得民航局批准，可追回410万英镑的相关支出1。英国航空公司对此表示担忧，警告早期成本回收可能使该扩建项目"对消费者不可承受"1。前财政大臣瑞秋·里夫斯曾表示要在本届议会任期内启动工程，目标在2035年前完成建设1。

The UK Civil Aviation Authority has approved Heathrow Airport Limited's plan to recover £320 million in upfront costs for its third runway expansion project starting from 2024, with the expenses to be passed on to passengers through increased airline charges over a 20 to 25-year period 1. The cost recovery scheme will result in an estimated 15 pence increase per passenger in airport fees by 2028, rising to 30 pence annually thereafter 1.

An alternative expansion proposal, Heathrow West, has also been permitted to recoup £4.1 million in expenditure 1. The expansion project has drawn criticism from British Airways, which warned that early cost recovery could render the scheme "unaffordable for consumers" 1. Former Chancellor Rachel Reeves has stated the government intends to "break ground" on the project during the current parliamentary term, with a target completion date of 2035 1.