Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan has said his views on Heathrow Airport expansion “haven’t changed” as he warned about the “climate emergency”.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to use a speech on growth next week to support the proposed third runway at the west London airport, and to endorse expansion at Gatwick and Luton.
Sir Sadiq won a third term in 2024 on a platform of opposing expansion of airports in the capital.
He told the London Assembly: “What Londoners know and the Government knows is the aviation sector is important for growth, jobs and prosperity, but we face a climate crisis and a climate emergency.
“The Climate Change Committee, well respected, set out quite clearly its recommendations… the only time expansion of aviation should be considered – I’m paraphrasing – is if it abides with our climate change commitments and so forth.
“The three big concerns that would need to be addressed if, in the hypothetical case, the speculation was to become a reality, is could a new runway be built that abides with carbon targets, concerns around noise pollution, and concerns around air pollution?
“Should that speculation become a reality, we’ll of course consider the merits of that case.
“But I’m quite clear, my views on the expansion of Heathrow by a new runway haven’t changed.”