Room for both Heathrow and Gatwick to expand, says airport boss

Heathrow estimates a third runway could take it to 140 million passengers a year, from 83.9 million last year. Photograph: Martin Godwin/The Guardian

The boss of Heathrow has said there is room for both of London’s biggest airports to expand significantly if the government can guarantee steps to a third runway, with ministers expected to approve Gatwick’s second runway this week.

Thomas Woldbye said Heathrow would be seeking government commitments on the airport’s funding model and changes to airspace before construction of a new runway could start.