Airports
UK Government Stalls Over Heathrow Expansion Plan
Independent commission recommends third runway for London Heathrow Airport
Plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport continue to face stiff opposition from Conservative parliamentarians. (Photo: Flickr: Creative Commons (BY-SA) by Hugh Llewelyn)
Plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport continue to face stiff opposition from Conservative parliamentarians. (Photo: Flickr: Creative Commons (BY-SA) by Hugh Llewelyn)

Britain’s government has promised a final decision by the end of 2015 on whether or not to endorse a plan for a new third runway at London Heathrow Airport recommended Wednesday by an independent review by the UK Airports Commission. The review team, led by Sir Howard Davies, said that use of the controversial third runway would stand subject to noise limits and “levies” as well a night ban on flights between 11:30 p.m. and 6 a.m. The commission also proposed formal legislation to bar the prospect of a possible fourth runway at the UK’s main hub airport.