Boris Johnson

Earlier this year, during his campaign to be elected as London Mayor, Johnson criticised the current plans to develop a new runway and terminal at Heathrow Airport, and said plans to build a new airport on reclaimed land should be re-evaulated.

Having been voted into office in May, it now appears Johnson is seriously looking at the idea of a Thames Estuary airport.

The Mayor of London spokesperson said: “The Mayor is keen to know what the alternatives are to expansion at Heathrow and would like to know whether the idea of a new airport in the Thames estuary would be viable or not. He has asked officers to consider the feasibility of a new airport to see if the idea is worth further consideration”.

In his article, Johnson added that the current level of delays at London’s airports, especially Heathrow and Gatwick, is becoming untolerable and that action needs to be taken in order to preserve London’s growing reputation as a key business centre and tourism destination – especially with the Olympics just four years away.