The construction of an airport in Kent and the expansion of Heathrow are among the options announced by the government this week for improving the UK's aviation standards.
Transport secretary Alistair Darling has issued consultation papers on the issue, ahead of next year's air travel white paper.

Darling said an additional runway at Heathrow would be cheaper than building an airport at Cliffe in Kent, but he added that an airport might be the more effective option for meeting flight demand.

A third option for the South-east is to expand Stansted Airport in Essex to complement services at Heathrow.

Darling is considering similar initiatives in the Midlands. The consultation paper will examine the possibility of building an additional runway at either Birmingham or East Midlands airport.

A site between Coventry and Rugby is also being considered for a new airport. Darling said: "Away from the houses, impact would be less – but the cost of a new airport would be much greater."

Manchester airport may also be expanded, Darling added: "The consultation paper looks at how [Manchester airport] could be developed further to become a hub airport complementing Heathrow."