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Following the Department of Transport’s request for proposals to expand Heathrow Airport, the Arora Group has revealed that it will submit an independent proposal.

Surinder Arora’s Arora Group assets include the Sofitel, Crowne Plaza and Hilton Garden Inn hotels at Heathrow, as well as the Arora Business Park, Heathrow.

Arora Group has set up a new subsidiary, Heathrow West Limited, that is working with US engineering giant Bechtel to promote a shorter third runway option.

The Heathrow West team also includes architect Scott Brownrigg Architects, quantity surveyor Doig & Smith and consulting engineer Haskoning.

The proposal comprises a new Terminal 6, to be built west of the existing Terminal 5, and a 2,800-metre runway instead of a full 3,500-metre one.

Claimed benefits include reduced land and less disruption since it avoids having to re-route the M25 beneath the airport.

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.”

Heathrow Airport itself is also expected to submit its own updated third runway plans to government this week.  The government has already signalled that it is in favour of the airport’s expansion although London mayor Sadiq Khan is opposed to it.

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