Rival bidder unveils £14bn plans for Heathrow expansion development

The Arora Group has unveiled a rival expansion plan for Heathrow Airport, offering an “alternative approach” to deliver a “truly world-leading experience.”

The property group’s proposals for new terminal buildings, known as the ‘Western Hub’, are designed to provide capacity for over 50m additional passengers.

The estimated cost of Arora’s airport expansion plans to full capacity is £14.4bn. The Western Hub plans have been designed architects Corgan.

Arora is competing with the airport company, Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL) for expansion development rights.

The Arora proposals concentrate new terminal capacity on the western side of Heathrow, between the existing Terminal 5 (T5) and the M25. This avoids the need to redevelop existing terminals in the Heathrow central area (Terminals 2 and 3).

Arora said that the Western Hub integrates new passenger facilities with T5 into a single hub campus. The plans also include a new central concourse, which will serve as a single front door for all 85m passengers using the Western Hub.

This building will be designed to provide efficient check-in facilities and commercial amenities, and will include one of the UK’s largest rail interchanges.

The central concourse will provide access to both Terminal 5 and to the new Terminal 6, with an elevated bridge concourse providing views over the airfield for passengers.

Surinder Arora, founder and chairman of the Arora Group, said: “Our approach has been to work closely with airlines and to employ the world’s best and most experienced airport designers and these benefits are clearly evident in our Western Hub plans. Heathrow has been in monopoly control for too long and our proposals show what can be achieved through an alternative approach and Heathrow fully welcoming competition.

“We welcomed Monday’s consultation from the CAA. It is helpful to have talks in place and we are eager to work with all parties to realise the best solution for Heathrow.

“We are passionate about developing a Heathrow that delivers a truly world-leading experience; one that works for airlines; one that offers passengers a top-class journey; and one that has the commercial grounding to be a long-term success for the nation to take pride in.”

Jonathan Massey, principal of Corgan’s Aviation Studio, commented: “Our plans maximise the site’s potential, incorporating a large number of gates next to T5, reducing passenger connect-times, and including an integrated public transport hub as part of an innovatively designed ‘central processor’ core area, to develop the best operational solution for Heathrow.”

Sir Rod Eddington, former British Airways CEO and member of the Arora Group Heathrow Expansion Advisory Board, added: “Heathrow used to be the premium global aviation hub but has suffered under the current monopoly, which has seen it drop below other European airports.

“Arora is best placed to deliver true competition and return Heathrow to its place as the top-tier international airport, which is critical in a post-Brexit Britain.”