Proposals on the regulatory treatment of early costs of capacity expansion at Heathrow airport

This consultation (CAP3201) sets out our proposals for the recovery of early costs associated with capacity expansion.

These are costs incurred by potential promoters before the Government takes a decision on whether to grant a Development Consent Order for capacity expansion at Heathrow airport. These proposals aim to provide an appropriate level of clarity and certainty for HAL on the recovery of early costs incurred in 2025 and 2026. It also further clarifies our position on other potential promoters that provided credible and appropriately mature proposals in response to the Government’s July 2025 deadline.