Heathrow is in the wrong location and should have moved to reclaimed land in the Thames Estuary years ago.
I do wonder how long it will be before an aircraft has a serious problem (mechanical or terrorist) on finals flying over the centre of London.
BA038 springs to mind or imagine a Lockerbie crash over the center of London.
This is very scarey to think about.
The BA038 crew performed an amazing job getting that aircraft to the airfield.
Maybe WHEN (I don't think its a case of if but when - statistics anyone ?) there is a next time luck will run out !
If the third runway gets the go ahead then Heathrow is going to be one serious logistical mess. Not a very nice looking airport !
However I do understand the economics and why a third runway is needed.
I just wish someone (in the past) had the balls to stand up and say at some stage we need to move Heathrow to a safer location.
RD