Expansion of Heathrow and Gatwick are the shortlisted options being considered by a government-backed commission into airport expansion. In its interim report, the commission also says a new airport will be needed in the South East by 2030.
Extra airport capacity in the South East is "vital" to the British economy, the London Chambers of Commerce chief executive told Daybreak.
Colin Stanbridge said foreign companies frequently complained about the state of British airports, so much so they were put off investing in the UK:
"We try and get companies to come and invest in London and improve the economy of London. One of the drawbacks of that is, you talk to them and they say, 'yeah but the airports aren't very good.'"
He added links to China could not meet demand because "we haven't got the slots at Heathrow to be able to join up with them."
Some believe today's report did not draw firm conclusions in order to avoid a politically divisive issue before the next election.
Expansion of Heathrow and Gatwick Airports are the shortlisted options being considered by a government report into airport expansion.
Heathrow is the third busiest airport in the world in terms of passenger numbers. It carried more than 69 million people in 2011.