Support for expanding Heathrow Airport continues to outweigh opposition across the majority of neighboring boroughs, with new polling revealing that local residents value the economic benefits an additional runway would bring to their communities.
The YouGov survey of over 3,200 adults found that in eight of nine boroughs surrounding the airport, more people support Heathrow expansion than oppose it. In the ninth borough, support and opposition are evenly matched. Two-thirds of local residents say having Heathrow as a neighbor is positive for their area.
Economic Benefits Drive Support
More than 90% of expansion supporters cited economic benefits as their primary reason for backing the project, highlighting the airport’s role as a major local employer and economic driver.
The findings come as current Heathrow employees express enthusiasm about expanded career opportunities for their children at what could become an even larger aviation hub. The airport currently employs more than 80,000 people, making it the UK’s largest single employment site.
Family Legacy in Aviation
Among those supporting expansion are airport security officers Saira Samiy and Aqeel Ahmed from Hayes, who hope their children Laiba, 12, and Zuraib, 8, will have similar career opportunities in the future.
“Living so close and having their mum and dad work at the airport, Heathrow is a big part of our family’s life,” they said. “It’s a busy and exciting place, and having an even bigger airport next door with more jobs to choose from would be great for our children.”
Airside Operations Officer Aidan O’Connell from Bracknell, whose five-year-old daughter Connie recently tried on his work uniform, echoed these sentiments. “Aviation really is unique and working out on the airfield at one of the world’s busiest airports is a special thing,” he said. “So many doors get opened when you land a career at Heathrow, I’d love my daughter to have the same opportunities when she grows up.”
Investment in Local Workforce
Heathrow’s commitment to local employment extends beyond direct hiring, with around 90% of the airport’s workforce employed by hundreds of different companies operating on-site, from airlines and ground handlers to retailers and specialist suppliers.
The airport maintains its commitment to the London Living Wage and operates the Heathrow Employment and Skills Academy, which has spent two decades connecting local students and job seekers with opportunities at the airport.
Chief People Officer Jo Butler emphasized the airport’s role in providing career pathways for neighboring communities. “Living near Heathrow is a first-class ticket to a lifelong career,” she said. “Expanding Heathrow means giving the next generation even more opportunities to learn and work here and play their part in keeping the UK connected to the world.”
Future Skills Development
As part of its commitment to local workforce development, Heathrow has pledged to support 500 local apprentices through its shared apprenticeship scheme by 2030. The airport’s academy provides services ranging from school outreach programs and work experience to CV advice and interview workshops for local residents.
The polling was conducted online between July 11-29, 2025, across ten local authorities surrounding Heathrow, including Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead, Hillingdon, Hounslow, and parts of Surrey and Buckinghamshire.
