Policy paper

Review of the Airports National Policy Statement engagement update: February 2026

Updated 18 February 2026

Introduction

In November 2025, the Secretary of State for Transport announced the government’s decision to identify the scheme promoted by Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL) as the scheme to take forward in informing the ongoing review of the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS). Any resulting proposed amendment to the ANPS, along with any other proposed amendments, will be subject to public consultation.

As the ANPS review progresses, the Department for Transport (DfT) has entered a dialogue with HAL, as the promoter of the scheme, to request technical information about the proposed scheme to inform the analysis for the ANPS review.

This dialogue is for the purpose of carrying out the ANPS review. In line with the statement of approach by ministers and officials dealing with the review of the ANPS, we want to ensure parity of opportunity for promoters, recognising that even with a scheme informing the ongoing review of the ANPS, any promoter could seek to submit proposals for development consent.

To ensure that the dialogue on the above matters is transparent, we are publishing a list of requests made to HAL. If any other potential promoter has views on any request, send them to: ANPSreview@dft.gov.uk.

Let the department know if you intend to respond to a particular matter so we can inform you of the relevant timelines.

HAL requests to inform ANPS analysis

In HAL’s capacity as airport operator, their view on which of the airspace designs used by the Airports Commission would be most reflective of likely flight paths at an expanded Heathrow (in the context of the proposed scheme informing the ANPS review), given current and potential future airspace considerations and policy.

In HAL’s capacity as a potential scheme promoter and airport operator, if any development of indicative airspace designs further to those used by the Airports Commission has been undertaken.

In HAL’s capacity as airport operator, if they can share a baseline (for example, no expansion) airspace design with DfT or if HAL would be available to work with the department and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on a proposed baseline airspace design.

In HAL’s capacity as a potential scheme promoter, if they can share:

• airfield boundary for a third runway at Heathrow (in the context of the proposed scheme informing the ANPS review), including any additional land-take (for example, for road reconfiguration) in a geographic information system (GIS) layer format

• coordinates of runway ends and landing thresholds (in latitude, longitude and height above mean sea level)

In HAL’s capacity as a potential scheme promoter, an explanation of and access to outputs of their surface access modelling suite.

In HAL’s capacity as airport operator, further details on employee car usage.

In HAL’s capacity as a potential scheme promoter, further details on their proposed enhancements to rail capacity.

In HAL’s capacity as a potential scheme promoter and airport operator, further details on current cargo operations and the impacts of expansion.

In HAL’s capacity as a potential scheme promoter, year-by-year figures on assumed passenger revenue with and without expansion.

In HAL’s capacity as a potential scheme promoter and airport operator, year-by-year figures on expected capital expenditure (CAPEX), replacement CAPEX and operational expenditure with and without expansion.

In HAL’s capacity as potential scheme promoter and airport operator, details on expected methods of financing – the relative shares of debt and equity and the currencies in which these funds are raised. To note, DfT may also need to share costs and other assumptions with other parties, in confidence, who are helping DfT prepare analysis or other preparatory work as part of the ANPS review.

In HAL’s capacity as potential scheme promoter, if they have carried out any environmental assessments, for example, a noise assessment with regard to wildlife, that would be relevant to share with consultants carrying out the appraisal of sustainability, habitats regulations assessment, health impact analysis and equality impact analysis.

Any additional requests or clarifications will be added to this list as needed. Should you wish to be notified when this page is updated, sign up to get emails about this page.