Transport secretary Geoff Hoon has put back a decision on expanding Heathrow with a third runway until January. A decision had been expected this month following a consultation process which closed on November 9. The highly controversial third runway proposal was debated in the House of Commons on November 5, just weeks after Hoon was appointed. The Department for Transport revealed that 70,000 responses to the consultation had been received. Hoon said: “I share the desire on all sides of the House, and among the wider public for this issue to be resolved. I am equally aware of the importance of reaching the right conclusion. I know that there are strong views across a range of interests. I will ensure that I give proper consideration to the evidence before me and will therefore take more time before making an announcement to the House, in January 2009.”

The 2003 “The Future of Air Transport” White Paper made clear that given the economic benefits to the UK, the Government supported the further development of Heathrow by adding a third runway and exploring the scope for making greater use of the existing runways, subject to meeting strict local conditions on air quality, noise and improving public transport access, Hoon said in a statement. But more than 140 MPs have signed a Commons motion calling on the government to consider other options to a third runway.

Airport operator BAA and airlines such as the airport's main user British Airways have been lobbying hard for the third runway plans to be approved.