Most people know, in their hearts, that LHR needs to become a 4-Runway, 24hr airport, if we want to keep up with the Rest. Who is going to make it happen?
I think three or four runways may be possible but 24 hour operation is not acceptable, and I say that as very pro Heathrow. There has to be a balance, it's not a realistic thing to expect and a cruel infliction on so very many people.
Yes, 24-hours is not an option, nor for that matter, is permanent mixed mode. What may well be needed in the future are a few more arrivals in the 0445-0600 period.
With 3 or 4 rwys more respite for residents can be provided for these extra early arrivals: overflight only 1 in 3 or 4 days.
I believe SS has summed up the UK well. Our infrastructure stinks! Heathrow is a pathetic excuse for an airport. It's in the wrong place, poorly connected and incapable of being expanded. An additional runway will do nothing to improve efficiency nor will it add any worthwhile capacity.
Why is Heathrow "
in the wrong place"? 20 mi west of London and near several motorways is reasonable for an airport of its size, you won't find a location nearer London! Who wants an airport any further away?
Returning to where we started: You might as well place London's third runway in Belgium for all the good it will do.
It's currently in the Netherlands - allegedly.
The only realistic thing London can do is build a new airport somewhere new, build it quick and then bulldoze Heathrow. Gatwick, Luton, Stansted will remain as the airport equivalents of clip joints; squeezing as much cash out of point-to-point leisure travellers as they can.
Never going to happen. A third rwy at Heathrow will make a great deal of difference, a fourth even more so (it provides some "future-proofing").
By the way, when you say "
the only realistic thing London can do is build a new airport somewhere new", do you mean London local government, London business, London what?
Meanwhile, back in the real world......
These airports make money for their owners/shareholders, so they won't sell to any potential "bulldozer operators". Therefore none of these airports is closing any time soon. It really is as simple as that.