The British government has agreed to expand UK airport capacity through a third runway at Heathrow.
Ministers approved the decision at a cabinet committee meeting on Tuesday.
The Department of Transport confirmed the decision and the Transport Secretary Chris Grayling will make a statement to the House of Commons later on Tuesday, reported the BBC.
Expanding airport capacity in the southeast of England has been a political ‘hot potato’ for many years.
Although Heathrow has always been the favourite among businesses, it has attracted the most opposition from MPs with constituencies near the airport or under flight paths.
Last week Prime Minister Theresa May moved to head off possible Cabinet resignations by giving ministers freedom to speak out against the decision.
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Education Secretary Justine Greening have been vocal critics of Heathrow expansion.
Downing Street said any ministers wanting to voice their opposition to the plans would have to seek permission from the Prime Minister in advance.
OPPOSITION
A study last year, led by Sir Howard Davies, recommended a third runway at Heathrow but other options included a new runway at Gatwick or extending one of Heathrow’s existing runways.
Greening is expected to give her reaction to the decision in a message to her constituents in Putney, southwest London. Johnson will also make a statement, reported the BBC.
PUBLIC CONSULTATION
A public consultation will now be held on the effects of airport expansion before the government makes a final decision as part of a National Policy Statement on Aviation.
MPs will then vote on that decision in the winter of 2017-18. It is unlikely that any new runway capacity would be operational before 2025.
Construction is not likely to begin until 2020 or 2021, announced the Airports Commission.
YEARS IN THE MAKING
A final decision on which London airport to expand has been years in the making.
In 2009, former Prime Minister David Cameron pledged that there would be no new runway at Heathrow.
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