Competing proposals for Heathrow airport's runway contract are being drafted in Changi, aiming to secure the deal
The race to deliver the government's marquee infrastructure project, Heathrow's third runway, has taken a new turn with the Arora Group's proposal. This ambitious plan, known as Heathrow West, has the potential to shake up the status quo at Heathrow Airport.
The Arora Group, a hotel tycoon known for its portfolio around Heathrow, has partnered with Singapore's Changi Airport to bolster its bid for the expansion. Changi Airport, widely regarded as the best aviation hub in the world, has conducted a peer review of the Heathrow West proposal and found it to be time- and cost-effective, least disruptive to the community, and environmentally sustainable.
The peer review supports the balance between affordability, convenience for all airport users, and alignment with the Department for Transport's (DfT) strategic objectives, as stated in the airport's statement. Surinder Arora, the hotel tycoon behind Heathrow West, shared the proposal with the DfT in July.
Heathrow Airport Ltd, on the other hand, has proposed a standard 3,500m runway. However, the Arora Group's proposal aims to build a shorter, 2,800m runway, which they claim will save billions of pounds by not having to reroute the M25.
The Arora Group's successful bid would break Heathrow's incumbent operator's stranglehold on Heathrow's day-to-day operations. The Heathrow West proposal's master plan maintains affordability and convenience for all airport users, according to the airport's statement.
Carlton Brown, chief executive of Heathrow West, stated that Heathrow has under-served domestic passengers and international users. Heathrow West's proposal aims to restore pride and unlock growth in Heathrow, a major piece of national infrastructure.
The proposal has received an endorsement from Dublin Airport, where the group is currently building its first hotel outside the UK. The full proposal was published on Arora's website on Tuesday.
It remains to be seen who will emerge victorious in the race to deliver Heathrow's third runway. But one thing is certain: the stakes are high, and the competition is fierce.
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