Airports operator BAA said it would press ahead with plans for a second runway at Stansted.
BAA welcomed the Government's new framework for UK aviation policy and said it would also work urgently to resolve the air pollution issues that were a barrier to further runway development at Heathrow.
"Aviation is vital to the economic and social well-being of the UK and we are pleased that the Government has taken such a long-sighted, strategic view in this White Paper," said Mike Clasper, BAA's Chief Executive.
"BAA identified four possible options for runway development in the South East and the Government has chosen two of them.
"At Stansted, we will proceed at once to draw up detailed plans and to examine the environmental impacts of a second runway.
"We will consult closely with the communities affected and address their concerns as sympathetically as possible."
Published Tuesday December 16, 2003
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