easyJet to Expand to Heathrow with Third Runway
easyJet CEO Kenton Jarvis has announced plans to expand the airline’s operations to London Heathrow Airport, contingent on the construction of a third runway. This strategic move aims to allow the low-cost carrier (LCC) to operate at scale from the UK’s largest and busiest airport.
Jarvis expressed optimism following reports that UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves supports Heathrow’s long-awaited expansion. He highlighted that the current slot constraints at Heathrow have significantly limited easyJet’s access to the airport. “[Heathrow] fits with our primary airport strategy and is probably the white spot we have in terms of primary airports throughout Europe,” Jarvis stated. “If a new runway comes along, that gives us a chance to look at what a scale move might look like—and that’s what we’d be interested in.”
The expansion to Heathrow is expected to benefit passengers through lower fares, as easyJet aims to introduce more competitive pricing at an airport currently dominated by major flag carriers. British Airways holds approximately 46% of the airport’s capacity, followed by Virgin Atlantic with 6.5%, American Airlines at 3.9%, United Airlines at 2.6%, and Lufthansa at 2.4%. Despite these figures, Jarvis noted that discussions about easyJet’s expansion are still in the early stages.
The proposal for a third runway at Heathrow has been a contentious issue for decades. Approved by the UK government in 2009, the project has faced numerous legal and environmental challenges. In February 2020, the Court of Appeal deemed the plans unlawful due to non-compliance with the Paris Agreement on climate change. However, in December 2020, the UK Supreme Court overturned this ruling, allowing the project to proceed.
Progress on the third runway was further delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, causing the plans to be put on hold. In July 2024, Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye acknowledged that the third runway remains a long-term project, potentially more than a decade away.
Despite these delays, Chancellor Rachel Reeves appears ready to support Heathrow’s expansion as part of the UK government’s broader strategy to boost economic growth. Alongside Heathrow, the government is also expected to approve the construction of a second runway at London Gatwick and increase capacity at London Luton Airport.
In addition to Heathrow, Jarvis reiterated his support for a second full-time runway at Gatwick Airport, where easyJet is already the largest carrier, holding a 35.2% share of all departure seats as of January 2025, according to OAG Schedules Analyser data. “Gatwick is Europe’s busiest single-runway airport, and because of that, it can sometimes be challenging from a resilience perspective,” Jarvis explained. “The customer experience does need improving, and we do support the building of a second runway.”
Jarvis emphasized that the second runway at Gatwick should initially focus on enhancing the airport’s resilience rather than merely increasing capacity. He also called on the government to expedite airspace modernization efforts, which he identifies as a significant barrier to Gatwick’s operational efficiency.
The potential expansion of easyJet at Heathrow and Gatwick underscores the airline’s commitment to enhancing connectivity and providing more options for travelers in the UK. By securing additional slots and increasing capacity, easyJet aims to better compete with established carriers and offer more affordable travel options to a broader audience.
As the debate over Heathrow’s third runway continues, easyJet’s interest in expanding its operations to the airport remains a key development in the UK’s aviation landscape. The airline’s growth strategy, supported by government initiatives and infrastructure improvements, could significantly impact the competitive dynamics at London’s major airports, benefiting passengers with increased choices and lower fares.
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