The UK government has approved a third runway at Heathrow following a cabinet committee earlier this week.
However, a public consultation now follows before a final decision is made as part of a national policy on aviation. The final vote will be taken late next year but it is unlikely that it would be operational until well into the next decade.
A report last year recommended that the third runway be given a green a light because the slot- congested airport is at capacity and expansion was seen as the best option for the future of UK aviation.
Heathrow third runway video
A third runway would put Heathrow on the same footing as rivals serving Paris, Frankfurt and Amsterdam and allow another 740,000 flights a year to 40 new destinations. The Airports Commission report forecast the 17.6 billion pound project would add 147 billion pounds in economic growth and create 70,000 jobs by 2050.
The north-west runway would involve the construction of a new terminal, Terminal 6, and as significant expansion of Terminal 2 along with big increases to road and rail capacity costing up to 5 billion pounds.
The report recommended restrictions to reduce environmental and noise effects, including an overnight curfew. It also described as feasible a cheaper expansion at rival Gatwick Airport.
The Heathrow proposal has attracted significant opposition, including from a number of high-profile politicians such as conservative MP Boris Johnson, and almost 800 homes will need to be demolished to make room for it.
However, it is believed to have the support of British Prime Minister Theresa May and has been backed by pilots and unions.
The BBC said the decision would be made by a sub-committee chaired by May and some ministers would be allowed to speak out against it a limited period “in a move seen as evidence a third runway at Heathrow would be backed’’.
