# Andy Burnham's dithering over Heathrow expansion threatens billions in UK investment > Heathrow expansion plans face cancellation as UK PM Andy Burnham delays third runway approval. - Title: Andy Burnham's dithering over Heathrow expansion threatens… - Summary: Heathrow expansion plans face cancellation as UK PM Andy Burnham delays third runway approval. Heathrow expansion could be scuppered by UK PM Andy Burnham's… - Keywords: heathrow, andy burnham, third runway, uk investment, heathrow expansion, prime minister, labour party, heathrow airport, britain, government, news, entertainment - Source: Dailymail — https://dailymail.com/news/article-16202385/Andy-Burnhams-dithering-Heathrow-expansion-threatens-scupper-billions.html?ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490&ns_mchannel=rss - Published: 2026-10-12T11:51:25+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: heathrow, andy burnham, third runway, uk investment, heathrow expansion, prime minister, labour party, heathrow airport, britain, government, news, entertainment ## Heathrow expansion threatens billions Heathrow expansion plans could scupper billions of pounds-worth of UK investment as investors warn they cannot wait forever. > cannot wait forever ## PM Andy Burnham delays third runway approval Prime Minister Andy Burnham reportedly told transport secretary Heidi Alexander he is unconvinced about Heathrow's third runway expansion. > unconvinced ## Heathrow boss warns of investment risks Thomas Woldbye, Heathrow's boss, warned investors they could pull the plug on the £33billion expansion plans if PM Burnham doesn't back the third runway by New Year. > pull the plug ## Third runway expansion details The third runway would increase Heathrow's capacity to 756,000 flights and 150 million passengers per year. > 756,000 flights ## Investor concerns over timeline Heathrow's shareholders want certainty on the expansion timeline, with Woldbye stating they need a level of certainty by year's end. > level of certainty ## Heathrow's economic importance Heathrow handles nearly £300billion-worth of goods annually, representing more than a quarter of UK trade by value. > nearly £300billion ## Expansion backed by former government Former premier Sir Keir Starmer's government initially supported Heathrow expansion to boost britain's sluggish economy. > sluggish economy ## PM cites other airport expansions PM Burnham cited recent £2billion investment at Birmingham airport, which will double passenger numbers to 30 million annually. > £2billion ## Regional growth concerns PM Burnham expressed concern that Heathrow expansion could concentrate economic growth too heavily in southern england. > concentrate economic growth ## Expansion funding sources The Qatar Investment Authority, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, and China Investment Corp are among those poised to bankroll the expansion. > Qatar Investment Authority ## Timeline for expansion Airport bosses aim to get planning permission by 2029, with construction expected within a decade of approval. > 2029 ## PM's stance on expansion PM Burnham has refused to confirm support for Heathrow expansion since moving into No10, citing recent airport expansions elsewhere. > refused to confirm support ## Investor pressure timeline Investors warn they cannot wait forever and could pull the plug on the £33billion expansion plans if PM Burnham doesn't back the third runway by New Year. > cannot wait forever ## Heathrow's capacity growth The third runway expansion would increase Heathrow's capacity to 756,000 flights and 150 million passengers per year. > 756,000 flights ## Heathrow's economic impact Heathrow handles nearly £300billion-worth of goods annually, representing more than a quarter of UK trade by value. > nearly £300billion ## Expansion funding timeline The Qatar Investment Authority, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, and China Investment Corp are among those poised to bankroll the expansion by 2029. > Qatar Investment Authority ## Key takeaway Heathrow expansion could be scuppered by UK PM Andy Burnham's delay in backing third runway by New Year, risking billions in investment.