Arora Group, Changi Reported to Plan Heathrow West Expansion

The Arora Group, led by hotel tycoon Surinder Arora, has submitted an alternative expansion proposal for Heathrow Airport called "Heathrow West," featuring a new Terminal 6 and a 2,800-meter runway located west of the current Terminal 5. The plan, developed in partnership with infrastructure company Bechtel and Singapore’s Changi Airport, emphasizes cost efficiency, sustainability, and reduced disruption by avoiding the need to divert the M25 motorway. Unlike Heathrow's own proposal for a 3,500-meter runway, the Heathrow West plan aims to deliver a simpler and less risky construction process, with an estimated cost under £25 billion and runway operation targeted by 2035. The Arora Group highlights benefits such as lower land use, minimal impact on local communities, and enhanced passenger experience, leveraging Changi’s reputation as the world's best airport. UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is currently reviewing both proposals as part of a broader Airports National Policy Statement review. Surinder Arora, a major Heathrow landowner, has expressed confidence that the Heathrow West plan offers better value for airlines, passengers, and the British economy.