Stansted will get an extra runway, Transport Secretary Alistair Darling has confirmed.
The Transport Secretary ended months of speculation when he released the long-awaited aviation White Paper to Parliament this afternoon.
It sets out how ministers believe Britain will cope with the massive rise in airline passenger growth over the next 30 years.
Mr Darling said the Government supported the construction of a new runway at Stansted as soon as possible, with a view to it being operational by 2011 to 2012.
Mr Darling said the Government believed another new runway would be required in the south east by 2015 to 2020, with Heathrow as the preferred option.
The decision to base a new landing strip at the Essex airport is expected to be disputed by campaigners and a number of airlines, who have threatened legal action.
The airlines prefer the option of building another runway at Heathrow airport.
Published Tuesday December 16, 2003
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article