Sean Doyle, the CEO of British Airways, has stated that expanding Heathrow Airport should not involve relocating the M25 motorway.

The government is currently evaluating two expansion proposals: one from Heathrow itself and another from the Arora Group, spearheaded by hotel entrepreneur Surinder Arora.

The owners of Heathrow aim to construct a new full-length runway measuring 3,500 meters (2.2 miles), which would necessitate diverting the M25. In contrast, the Arora Group is proposing a 2,800-meter runway that would eliminate the need to move the motorway.

A decision on which proposal will proceed for Heathrow’s third runway is expected by the end of the month.

This past summer, Heathrow Airport unveiled its £49 billion blueprint for a third runway and related infrastructure, which includes a new road tunnel beneath the airport and widening the M25 between junctions 14 and 15.

The Arora Group’s proposal features a shorter runway, which allows for the M25 to remain in its current position, with a significantly lower cost of £25 billion, though additional infrastructure improvements would be necessary.

At the Airlines 2025 conference held in Westminster on Monday, Mr. Doyle remarked, “If it’s possible to keep the M25 where it is, then that should be the aim. The rationale for that is hard to dispute. I believe we ought to explore the option of constructing a shorter runway.”

The plan put forth by Heathrow’s owners would entail the creation of a new M25 tunnel and bridges located 130 meters to the west of the existing motorway, with traffic being rerouted to the new infrastructure during overnight closures.

The government has requested both parties to supply additional information regarding their proposals, focusing on the implications for investors, local communities, and businesses.