Heathrow could get new runway and terminal

By Peter Griffiths

LONDON (Reuters) - Heathrow Airport could get a third runway and a sixth terminal to help it cope with a surge in air travel, the government said on Thursday, despite fierce opposition from environmental campaigners.

Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly said Europe's biggest airport must expand to handle hundreds of thousands of extra flights that are expected in the next 25 years.

Her supporters, including business groups and unions, say it will create jobs, pump billions into the economy and make Heathrow more competitive.

Critics, however, say the expansion will contribute to global warming, increase pollution and blight the lives of millions of people under the flightpaths.

The developments are being closely watched by governments and campaigners across Europe, including Frankfurt, Paris and Stuttgart, where airport expansions are planned.

"If nothing changes, Heathrow's status as a world-class airport will be gradually eroded -- jobs will be lost and the economy will suffer," Kelly said in a statement.

The government backs an expansion in air travel, which is set to double in the next 25 years.

The proposals include building a third runway for short-haul flights and new terminal to handle 702,000 air traffic movements by 2030, compared to the current limit of 480,000.