Airport Expansion (Parliamentary Approval) Bill

A Bill to amend the Planning Act 2008 to require Parliamentary approval for proposals for the building of new major airports and additional runways at existing major airports; and for connected purposes.

What this bill does

The intention of the Bill is to amend the planning process to include at an early stage a role for Parliament in approving or rejecting any plan for airport expansion.

Originating House

House of Commons

Last Updated

26 October 2009

In Plain English

AI-generated

This Bill would insert Parliament into the planning process for major airport expansion. It would require Parliamentary approval for plans to build new major airports or add runways at existing ones, by amending the Planning Act 2008. In effect, Parliament would have the power to approve or reject expansion proposals at an early stage.

Key Points

Requires Parliamentary approval for major airport expansion proposals, by amending the Planning Act 2008.
Covers plans for new major airports and for adding runways at existing major airports.
Embeds Parliament's early involvement in deciding whether expansion should go ahead.
Decisions by Parliament would determine whether expansion proceeds after the approval stage.
The bill is currently at Second Reading in the House of Commons, having originated in the Commons, and would need passage through both Houses and Royal Assent to become law.

Progress

The Bill is at the Second Reading in the House of Commons; it has not yet progressed to Committee stage or beyond. If it moves forward, it would proceed through the usual stages in both Houses before becoming law.

Who is affected?

Airlines and airport operatorsMajor airports and their staffLocal communities near airports and nearby councilsConstruction and engineering firms involved in expansion projectsAviation workers and industry unionsPassengers and travellersNational and local government planning and regulatory bodiesEnvironmental and community groups concerned with aviation expansion

Generated 21 February 2026

Updates & Documents

News (1)

News - Airport Expansion (Parliamentary Approval)

1 Jan 1970

This Bill was presented to Parliament on 24 February. This is known as First Reading and there was no debate on the Bill at this stage.

This Bill was on the Order Paper for a Second Reading on several Fridays before being dropped by its sponsor, Susan Kramer.

Documents (1)

Bill as Introduced

BillCommons

16 Mar 2009

Parliamentary Votes (0)

No recorded votes for this bill yet.

Airport Expansion (Parliamentary Approval) Bill | TrackPolitics