THE ARORA GROUP FINALISES LANDMARK HEATHROW AIRPORT EXPANSION PROPOSAL

-       The Arora Group can confirm that it will this week submit its “Heathrow West” proposal to the UK Government - a cost efficient solution for expansion of the UK’s only Hub airport, Heathrow

-       This is the first time the Government has invited a competing proposal for Heathrow expansion

-       The Heathrow West proposal has been developed alongside Bechtel, world leaders in airport development who have delivered just under 200 airport projects globally

-       Bechtel has enabled a design that avoids the need to build over the M25, allowing for faster delivery, reduced costs and improved environmental impact

-       The 200-page costed proposal and timeline describe the delivery of a fully operational runway by 2035, and a new Terminal 6 opened in two phases (T6A in 2036 and T6B in 2040)

-       The Proposal delivers on the UK Government’s ambition to unlock economic growth and to offer consumers greater choice, with significantly improved levels of efficiency, service and resilience for both airlines and passengers

-       The full proposal will be submitted today to the Department of Transport and published in due course

London, 00:01, 31 July 2025, Following the Department of Transport’s request for proposals to expand Heathrow Airport, the Arora Group today confirms that it will submit a proposal to deliver a world leading expanded Heathrow Airport – delivering on its proven track record for market leading construction design, delivery, cost efficiency and sustainability.

The Arora Group has created a dedicated and wholly owned company, Heathrow West Limited, that will work with delivery partner Bechtel, a global leader in airport engineering and construction. Notable examples of Bechtel’s projects include Hamad International Airport (Doha, Qatar), Western Sydney International Airport and longstanding participation in London airports. Bechtel was recently announced as King Salman International Airport Development Company’s delivery partner for three new terminals at the Riyadh hub and as Capital Portfolio Partner for Perth Airport. As part of Alterra Partners, a consortium with Singapore Changi Airport, Bechtel also served in the capacity of airport owner and developer where they managed airport concessions and expansions at London Luton Airport, Jorge Chávez Airport in Lima, Peru, Juan Santamaría Airport in San José, Costa Rica and Curaçao Airport in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Other partners of note include Scott Brownrigg Architects, Doig+Smith, Haskoning and NACO.

The proposal comprises a new modernised terminal, Terminal 6, located west of the existing Terminal 5, and a signature 2,800 metre runway delivering for airlines, passengers and cargo to deliver the economic growth ambition set out by His Majesty’s Government.

Key benefits include:

•    Reduced land take and lower disruption to local residents and businesses

•    The potential for an integrated and expanded Public Transport Hub, enabling higher levels of sustainable travel

•    A stronger business case, delivering cost-efficiency benefits to passengers, freight-forwarders, retail businesses and airlines

•    Simpler and less disruptive construction, enabling earlier delivery of new terminal capacity and avoiding the major disruption of building over the M25

•    A constructive, collaborative approach to working with airlines, passengers and local communities and businesses, on environmental improvements

Surinder Arora, Founder and Chairman of the Arora Group, said:

“After a decade working with our world leading design and delivery team, I am very proud that the Arora Group can finally unveil to the UK Government our Heathrow West proposal, which directly meets and supports the United Kingdom’s primary objective of unlocking economic growth at the UK’s only hub airport, with a strong commitment of doing so on- budget and on-time.

“I am so proud to stand alongside Bechtel, and their record of delivering almost 200 airport projects, on these detailed plans. The Heathrow West proposal delivers squarely on the Secretary of State’s and Chancellor’s ambition to obtain planning permission by the end of this Parliament, with a fully operational runway by 2035.

“The Arora Group has a proven track record of delivering on time and on budget projects including in and around Heathrow Airport. We are delighted that the Government has taken a common sense approach to invite proposals from all interested parties for the very first time rather than granting exclusivity to the current airport operator, no matter its track record.”

“I want the UK to succeed. To do this, the UK Government’s Plan for Change needs to succeed and we want to play our part in order to make this happen. Our project will generate employment and skills training opportunities across every region of the UK.”

Carlton Brown, CEO of Heathrow West, said:

“The setting up of a wholly owned and dedicated business to an expanded Heathrow will enable us to dedicate the time and focus needed with a wide range of stakeholders, not least airlines, communities and business.

“Heathrow West will have a Board that comprises members with proven track records in governance, finance, construction, aviation and sustainability. Furthermore, Heathrow West will be committed to working with airlines to adapt its design to ensure it provides value for money and operational resilience, while promoting technological innovation.

“Ultimately, I want to see Heathrow help Britain become the best-connected nation in the world and facilitate the trade and inward investment our UK economy needs in order to compete with the rest of the world. There is no reason as to why the UK’s only Hub cannot out compete not just its European rivals, but also Dubai, Singapore and others.”

Delivering on cost

The Arora Group has consistently highlighted the importance of resilience and affordability in Heathrow's expansion, proposing plans that could have substantial operational benefits and savings. This focus on efficiency and cost-effectiveness could lead to better performance and lower charges for airlines and passengers, making Heathrow more competitive globally.

The combination of Arora and Bechtel's extensive and proven construction expertise, particularly within the complex environment of airport-adjacent developments, is a critical asset for the successful, and cost-effective, realisation of the Heathrow West proposal. By leveraging our integrated approach to design, build and project management, we offer a unique blend of practical experience and strategic insight essential for navigating the intricate challenges of large-scale infrastructure expansion at one of the world's busiest airports.

With a shorter runway, efficient construction programme, fewer dependencies and a clear path to site mobilisation, the evidence provided in the submission strongly suggests that this scheme, and the new runway in particular, can be delivered in the target timeframe established by the Government - if not sooner - while offering a more acceptable and cost-effective solution.

Delivering on sustainability

Heathrow West has gone to great lengths to reduce our total construction footprint and will target a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ sustainability rating for the construction and operational phases of the project.

The Sustainability Strategy harnesses innovative solutions to reduce

carbon emissions, protect the green belt, restore the river and protect local communities through the creation of blue/green buffers and enhanced cycle- and foot- paths.

The Arora Group, together with our partners, will work closely with key stakeholders, such as the Environmental Agency, to ensure our plans respect the needs of the environment, enhance local amenity and leave a positive social legacy.

Delivering on time

A primary benefit of Heathrow West will be the reduced risk and spiraling cost of the new runway by avoiding the M25 motorway crossing. Heathrow West has established management and logistics plans to streamline construction and ensure we operate in the most effective, efficient and respectful manner possible.

These include an ‘outside-in’ phasing approach which reduces the construction footprint over time and which utilises multiple access points to the site to minimise disruption; and of-site fabrication and modularisation methods which will further minimise our construction footprint as less land will be required for onsite assembly.

Heathrow West can be delivered within 10 years – with the vast majority of activity contained within the airport boundary.

ENDS

FTI Consulting

Oli Winton / Ollie Pratt Tel: 0203 727 1000

Email: AroraGroup@fticonsulting.com

Notes to editor:

About The Arora Group

The Arora Group is a successful UK-focused private group of companies, which leverages synergies across its specialist property, construction, and hotel divisions to its strategic advantage. Since 1999, the Group has built its standing through meticulously managing projects from inception to delivery and beyond. Today, it owns and manages a diverse portfolio of flagship assets across the nation’s key business locations, partnering with some of the world’s most recognised brands to deliver consistently high service levels and sustainable growth. Locally to Heathrow, this includes the Hilton Garden Inn London, Holiday Inn Express Heathrow T4 and Sofitel London Heathrow T5. Further afield, the Arora Group’s portfolio includes the Fairmont Windsor Park, InterContinental London – The O2 and Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa.

About Bechtel

Bechtel is a trusted engineering, construction and project management partner to industry and government. Differentiated by the quality of our people and our relentless drive to deliver the most successful outcomes, we align our capabilities to our customers’ objectives to create a lasting positive impact. Since 1898, we have helped customers complete more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents that have created jobs, grown economies, improved the resiliency of the world’s infrastructure, increased access to energy, resources, and vital services, and made the world a safer, cleaner place.

Bechtel serves the Energy; Infrastructure; Manufacturing & Technology; Mining & Metals; and Nuclear, Security & Environmental markets. Our services span from initial planning and investment, through start-up and operations.