The UK government is set to give approval for expansion at three London airports, including the controversial third runway at Heathrow, according to reports in the UK media.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is reported to be looking to use airport expansion to fuel economic growth with the UK economy currently floundering with minimal to zero growth in GDP.

As well as backing the third runway at Heathrow, Reeves is also likely to support expansion at both Gatwick and Luton during a speech she is due to give next week, according to a report from Bloomberg.

Heathrow’s third runway was initially given permission in 2018 but was then mired in legal battles before the Covid-19 pandemic caused a huge plunge in traffic.

The debate is set to reopen as the UK’s major hub airport again nears capacity – Heathrow set a new record for passenger numbers of 83.9 million in 2024 but only expects this to increase by 0.4 per cent in 2025 due to its current capacity constraints.

Gatwick submitted plans in 2023 to allow the airport to bring its second runway, which is currently used as a taxiway, into routine use for flights alongside its main runway. UK transport secretary Heidi Alexander is due to decide on whether to approve this application by 27 February.

Meanwhile, a decision on Luton’s expansion plans, which has already been delayed three times, is now set to be made by Alexander by 3 April.

Elsewhere, London Stansted has already secured planning permission to extend its current terminal building to increase capacity and London City’s plan to raise annual passenger numbers was also approved by the government in August 2024.

A UK government spokesperson said: “We are determined to get our economy moving and secure the long-term future of the UK’s aviation sector.

“All expansion proposals must demonstrate they contribute to economic growth, which is central to our Plan for Change, while remaining in line with existing environmental obligations.”

Previous UK transport secretary Louise Haigh told the Airlines 2024 conference in November that the government would support airport expansion in the UK, providing it delivers economic growth and does not breach environmental criteria.