Emirates boss Sir Tim Clark urged UK to renationalise Heathrow to unblock £33bn third‑runway plan. He said ministers must pressure investors—Ardian, Qatar, Saudi, Singapore funds—to fund the project, which has stalled for decades. Clark argues state ownership, reversed from the 1980s sale, would cut bureaucracy and speed delivery while preserving the hub's competitiveness.

Clark highlighted that Heathrow could handle 160 million passengers annually, nearly double its current 85 million, if capacity expands. He compared the cost of a new five‑runway Dubai airport—built for less than Heathrow’s runway—to illustrate inefficiency. Emirates, the world’s most profitable carrier, stands ready to add slots, betting that each seat sold could generate five premium bookings for its high‑margin long‑haul routes.

Investors such as Ardian and Gulf sovereign wealth funds stand to reap £33bn in returns, yet Clark pressed them to finance the expansion rather than pocket earnings abroad. He warned that without a third runway, Heathrow risks losing market share to European rivals. The renationalisation call adds pressure on the UK government as it balances capital interests against transport needs.