Plans to expand London's other airports are already further along than Heathrow's and have in the past been viewed as an alternative to a third Heathrow runway. Work is set to start this year to expand capacity at Stansted's terminal. The government is due to make a decision on Gatwick airport by 27 February.

British finance minister Rachel Reeves is expected to back the expansion of Heathrow Airport on Wednesday, turning to the country's most controversial infrastructure project in her hunt for economic growth.

U.K. Treasury chief Rachel Reeves says that the new Labour government is backing the construction of third runway at London’s Heathrow Airport.

Should another runway be built at Heathrow Airport? Let us know what you think in our poll below, or click here. Environmental advocates have strongly condemned the plans. Alethea Warrington, head of aviation at climate charity Possible, called the move a "catastrophic misstep," highlighting the potential increase in carbon emissions.

Joanna Wattis, a resident of Datchet, Berkshire, said the community was "very much against it" and pleaded for the plans to be dropped. But another resident, Bob Beresford, said he thought Heathrow needed to expand to avoid losing traffic to other European airports.