Prime minister will chair committee tasked with making a swift decision on airport capacity

Theresa May is aiming to make a decision on whether to allow Heathrow or Gatwick to expand by October.

May will soon announce new members of a committee responsible for making the decision, which she will chair.

Whitehall insiders told the Evening Standard they expect a decision “by the end of the year” at the latest.

May’s supporters have said she will act in the national interest even though there are protests over Heathrow night flight noise in her nearby Maidenhead constituency.

A commission led by Sir Howard Davies recommended a third Heathrow runway as the best option for expanding airport capacity last year, subject to the airport making guarantees on noise pollution and night flights.

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