With air travel forecast to double over the next 20 years, the transport secretary yesterday announced plans for a huge expansion in airport capacity.

In London and the South East, the options include a new runway at Heathrow, up to three new runways at Stansted, a new runway for Luton airport, and the construction of two new airports - a passenger hub at Cliffe in Kent and a freight and low-cost passenger airport at Alconbury in Cambridgeshire.

The options would also see big increases in capacity in the Midlands, the North of England and Scotland.

Forum Response: British Airways

Rod Eddington, chief executive of British Airways, told ePolitix.com: "Heathrow is a unique national asset and by including it in the options, the government is recognising the key contribution that it makes to the British economy. The priority must be to build on that contribution.

"The UK needs a thriving major international airport that supports a network of inter-continental, European and domestic flights. This can be achieved more readily, and cost effectively, by providing an extra runway at Heathrow thereby enhancing all that has been achieved so far.

"The runway could be accommodated within the noise levels set down as a condition of the Terminal Five decision and without the need for us to operate any additional night flights.

"If Heathrow cannot grow, we will see its international route network reduced, UK regional services further squeezed out and business going to other European airports that have been able to expand and prosper.

"There are those who will oppose Heathrow development on environmental grounds and it is essential that their views are heard as part of this consultation process. But we must not lose sight of the severe economic consequences for Britain if we fail to develop Heathrow.

"Once all the economic and environmental arguments have been assessed, we believe the answer to the needs of UK plc will be an additional runway at Heathrow."

Forum Response: Manchester Airport

Geoff Muirhead, chief executive if Manchester Airport Group, told ePolitix.com: "Manchester, with its second runway, is superbly placed to accommodate growing demand for air travel.

"Our first priority is to make full and best use of our existing facilities.

"We already have planning approvals for the extension of Terminal 2 and will use new technologies, such as automated check in, to ensure best possible use of our existing terminals. In any case, we believe that there will be a technological revolution in the way airports operate within the next ten years which will reduce the need for space and mean that growth can be met more sustainably.

"By careful management of the runways we should be able to safely maximize aircraft throughput to the numbers scoped out by the government. The government's third runway option may only be required by around 2030 and, in particular circumstances, if growth elsewhere in the UK is constrained, particularly in the south east.

"In context, it is vital that the UK has the airport capacity to meet sustainable demand for air travel. This will ensure the country can provide the air services passengers deserve and, at the same time, ensure that aviation continues to contribute to the economy.

"Regional airports have a crucial role to play and Manchester Airport, in particular, has great potential and we will be using the government's consultation process to make that point. The airport has demonstrated through its actions that demand for air travel can be met in a sustainable way. Projects like Manchester's Ground Transport Interchange which will seamlessly link air, rail, tram, coach and bus in one facility, are leading the way in improving access to airports.

"The studies are good news for aviation; clearly showing an opportunity that must be grasped by the government. We welcome the government's commitment to widespread consultation and will play a full part in the process."