Stephen Byers is to consider the construction of three new runways in the south east. The move comes amid predictions that air traffic will double over the next 20 years.

An "early draft" of an official aviation study includes proposals to build three new runways - likely to be at Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick, and possibly a new airport near the Thames estuary.

Forum Response: British Airways

A spokeswoman for British Airways told ePolitix.com: "We are convinced that there must be adequate airport infrastructure in the UK. Britain needs to be able to compete with the growing airports in Paris, Amsterdam and Frankfurt, otherwise there will be more delays and higher prices. Air travel is vital for business and tourism and the economy will suffer without the necessary improvements. We are looking forward to consulting with the government's over its plans for the industry."

Forum Response: Freedom to Fly

A spokesman for Freedom to Fly told ePolitix.com: "The White Paper is a once in a lifetime's chance to get forward plans right for aviation and avoid the consequences of a lack of planning and investment we see today in the railways. With demand forecast to double in the next twenty years, the government is correct to look at all options. But this is not just a matter for the South East.

"All of the UK's airports have to play their part in the challenge of meeting the increased demand in the next twenty years. The government has to balance the needs of passengers, the economy, society and the environment and the White Paper is a wonderful chance to do that."

Forum Response: Manchester Airport

A spokesman for Manchester Airport told ePolitix.com: "We recognise the need for additional runway capacity in the South East if the UK is to meet and manage the future growth in demand for air travel and if the national aviation industry is to stay competitive with mainland European rivals.

"It is vital that new runways in the South East are located where there is passenger demand, an appropriate road and public transport infrastructure and they are environmentally sustainable. We believe that all options must be fully examined before any final decision is made on the location of the new runways.

"In the regions, where there is spare capacity, the first priority must be to make maximum use of that capacity to meet increasing demand. We are confident that we will attract our share of forecast demand and that, with our second runway, we have the capacity to meet this growth."

Forum Response: Institute of Directors

A spokesman for the Institute of Directors told ePolitix.com: "If air traffic increases in the next 20 years at the same rate it has over the previous 20 years then the new Terminal 5 at Heathrow will be insufficient to meet demand. Further expansion of runways would probably be inevitable."