Frequently Asked Questions

  • CISHA is an independent body responsible for providing objective, transparent scrutiny of Heathrow Airport’s operations and development plans. We assess the potential impacts, review evidence, listen to public and stakeholder input, and make independent recommendations.

  • No. CISHA is fully independent. We are not part of Heathrow Airport, nor are we under government control. Our purpose is to provide impartial oversight and hold both the airport and decision-makers accountable to high standards.

    Most UK commercial airports have an oversight body which is referred to as an Airport Consultative Committee (ACC).

  • During major expansion, CISHA continues its work but this is augmented by the Heathrow Community Engagement Board (HCEB) which focuses entirely on the matters around any potential expansion.

    This provides essential focus and clarity.

  • Yes , CISHA is independent and chaired by an independent chair who was recruited by a wide crossection of stakeholders.

    Heathrow Airport provides 100% of the funding for CISHA’s operations. However, CISHA has operational independence and allocation of funding is decided by the Chair in accordance with the terms of reference which have been set and agreed upon by CISHA.

  • Section 35 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982 requires major airports to provide adequate facilities for consultation. . Airport Consultative Committees (ACCs) are structured forums that provide an opportunity for the exchange of information between airports and interested parties.

    They make recommendations to the airport management and other bodies when appropriate, as well as being a place where there is an opportunity to reach common understanding between interested groups about the nature of the airport operation in the hope that issues can be resolved.

    The Government has produced guidance outlining how they should operate. The Heathrow Community Engagement Board Limited (HCEB Ltd) was set up in 2018 to fulfil and deliver the requirements of an ACC under s35 CAA 1982 and now delivers these requirements through CISHA.

  • The Airport National Policy Statement (ANPS) is a UK government document that sets out the framework for planning for expanding airport capacity.  Since 2018 it has particularly focused on Heathrow Airport's proposed third runway.

    The UK government’s recent invitation for interested parties to submit expansion proposals by summer 2025 means that the Airport National Policy Statement (ANPS) remains valid but could be subject to review or updates. 

  • No. CISHA does not make the final decision to approve or reject expansion proposals; this is the role of the Government.

    Our role is to provide independent scrutiny, challenge assumptions, highlight risks or gaps, and recommend actions to improve outcomes. We present our findings to decision-makers, regulators, and the public.

  • Heathrow’s expansion will require changes to how the airspace is used. Changes to airspace will be developed and decided upon through an Airspace Change Proposal (‘ACP’), following the CAA’s CAP 1616 process.

    CAP 1616 includes requirements to consult with local community and other stakeholders. Decisions on ACPs will be taken by the CAA unless ‘called in’ for determination by the Secretary of State.

    The Government and CAA have signalled that they will consult shortly on improvements to the airspace modernisation process, with the intention of ensuring “a transparent, evidence-based process that involves impacted stakeholders” (per the CAA website).

  • The Government and CAA are reforming the system for airspace modernisation in London by creating the UK Airspace Design Service (‘UKADS’) as a “single guiding mind to coordinate and sponsor future airspace changes...” (per the CAA’s website). UKADS is being established as part of NATS En Route Ltd (‘NERL’), which currently provides air traffic control services for the ‘en route’ phase of flight, and is intended to be operative from the end of 2025, following further consultations.

    Following UKADS’ creation London TMA airports, such as Heathrow, will cease to sponsor in-scope ACPs. Sponsorship for these ACPs will transition to UKADS.

    UKADS will develop a single London ACP, which will include Heathrow’s airspace, for development following the CAA’s 1616 process. Decisions will remain with the CAA or, if ‘called in’, by the Secretary of State.  

  • The Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS) (2018) was renamed to make clear it applies specifically to Heathrow expansion. It has been reviewed to reflect changes since 2018 in: 

    • Flight demand

    • The economy 

    • Climate obligations and legislation. 

    It also now sets out the government's four tests: 

    • Economic growth 

    • Climate change 

    • Air quality 

    • Noise.

  • Organisations developing expansion proposals, such as Heathrow Airport Limited and Heathrow West Limited.

  • No, it's a draft framework and doesn't grant consent or approve any scheme. Any application would still go through the development consent order process. This includes examination by the Planning Inspectorate and a final government decision.

  • Eight, covering sustainability, habitats, equality, health, surface access, aviation forecasts and economic appraisal. You can comment on any of them under consultation question 10.

  • The draft HENPS sets out that a community engagement board (HEICEB) should be established to help local communities contribute effectively to consultations and evidence-gathering throughout the planning process.

  • The Parliamentary inquiry will look into the HENPS. It will want to know:

    • If the plan gives clear guidance 

    • Whether the evidence for needing a new runway is strong 

    • If the project can be classed as "Critical National Growth Infrastructure". 

    It will also check the Government's ‘four tests’ for expansion. These are UK wide economic growth, air quality, noise, and climate change.


    The inquiry will also examine whether the facts, data and forecasts behind the plan are accurate and realistic. This includes looking at plans to protect the environment, support local communities, and improve transport links to the airport.

    Finally, the Committee will ask if the plan:

    • Fits with wider government policy 

    • Accounts for changes since 2018 

    • Has learned lessons from past legal challenges 

    • Whether the public consultation was done well.

  • The government considers the responses (and the Transport Committee's inquiry), then decides whether to proceed. If it does, it will publish a formal response, update the draft where needed, and lay a final version before Parliament for a Commons vote before it takes legal effect. The government's ambition is to complete these stages by the end of 2026.