Alistair Darling will tomorrow approve plans for new runways at Stansted and Birmingham, and a "compromise" allowing more flights at Heathrow, according to reports in today's press.

Whitehall sources claim the transport secretary has resisted pressure from environment secretary Margaret Beckett to tone down his plan, reports the Guardian.

The government is said to want Heathrow to move to a "mixed mode" operation under which its two runways would be used simultaneously for take-offs and landings.

Gatwick airport could also emerge as a surprise option for a new runway once government plans to expand Stansted have been achieved.

The FT reports that ministers have effectively ruled out an announcement of an increase in air passenger tax.