Chairman of the National Infrastructure Commission Sir John Armitt today welcomed MPs’ backing for the expansion of Heathrow Airport, signalling a crucial milestone in delivering one of the UK’s most significant infrastructure projects.

MPs voted 415 to 119 in favour of building a third runway, to increase the UK’s overall airport capacity and help expand routes to emerging markets such as China and South America

Heathrow expansion was one of 12 infrastructure priorities that the National Infrastructure Commission identified last June on which urgent action was needed.

Chairman of the National Infrastructure Commission Sir John Armitt said:

“I’m pleased that MPs have today given their backing to the expansion of Heathrow Airport, finally making much-needed progress towards increasing our country’s airport capacity.

“This country’s busiest airports have been stretched to their limits for years – action is long overdue to ensure we can get people from A to B easier and increase routes into new and emerging markets.

“Today’s decision has been years in the making and so I hope Ministers now move quickly to maintain the momentum now that this crucial hurdle has been cleared.”