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Airports Commission backs new runway at Heathrow

A long-awaited report by the Airport Commission into airport capacity has recommended that a new runway should be built at Heathrow rather than Gatwick.

The options considered were a third runway at Heathrow, extending an existing one, or building a second runway at Gatwick.

The commission recommended a new runway at Heathrow providing a "comprehensive" package of measures be undertaken, including a ban on night flights, a new levy to fund insulation for homes, schools and other community facilities around Heathrow, and an independent noise authority.

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Airport Commission recommends new Heathrow runway

An aerial view of the third runway at Heathrow airport. Credit: PA

The Airports Commission has recommended that a new runway is built at Heathrow airport in West London.

The commission said that a new runway at Heathrow is the best option to add "urgently required routes to new markets".

It chose a new, full-length runway at Heathrow rather than expanding one of the airport's current runways or building a new one at Gatwick.

A comprehensive package of measures should be introduced, including a ban on night flights, a noise authority and a levy to fund compensation schemes, the commission also said.

The Government is not expected to take any immediate action on the report and is likely to announce that ministers will study the recommendation.

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