Third Heathrow runway gets the go ahead

The Airports Commission has backed a third Heathrow runway, saying it will add £147bn in economic growth and 70,000 jobs by 2050.

It would also connect Britain to 40 new destinations.

Downing Street officials say they want to digest the report properly, without making "a snap judgement".

Sir Howard Davies's report said that the new runway should come with severe restrictions to reduce the environmental and noise effects.

Night flights should be banned and the government should make a Parliamentary pledge not to build a fourth runway.

"Heathrow offers the kind of long-haul connectivity - flights to emerging markets which are very important to the future of the British economy - and expanding it would allow Heathrow to offer more of those flights," Sir Howard told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

He also told the programme that the airport would become "a better neighbour".

His report also recommends an aviation noise levy to fund insulation for homes and schools and says a legal commitment should be made on air quality.

Sir Howard said that a second runway at Gatwick was a "credible" option but was less able to provide connections to long-haul destinations and would create lower levels of economic growth.

Heathrow welcomed the Commission's decision saying it would now work with government to "deliver expansion for all of Britain".

But Gatwick chief executive Stewart Wingate said the airport was "still very much in the race".

"The Commission's report makes clear that expansion at Gatwick is deliverable," he added.

-bbc