In its official response to the government's proposals for airport expansion in the UK, airport operator BAA has called for up to three new runways to be built in South East England.

A spokesman for the DfT told ePolitix.com: "We welcome BAA's contribution to the debate. We will consider it very carefully, alongside all the other responses we have received.

"Ministers will respond to the submitted views in the white paper which will be published later this year."

Forum Response: Virgin Atlantic

A spokeswoman for Virgin Atlantic told ePolitix.com: "Virgin Atlantic welcomes BAA's announcement. Virgin Atlantic believes that it is in the UK's national interest for a third, short runway to be developed at Heathrow and that further development at Gatwick should be included in expansion plans. Virgin will comment on the government's new proposals in detail in due course but hopes that this is the final consultation and that we will see a white paper by the end of the year.

"Virgin Atlantic has long suffered because of the current lack of sufficient airport capacity in the UK and in the South East in particular. This is something that has undoubtedly stunted the growth of the airline and denied consumers greater choice and the benefits associated with enhanced competition. The Heathrow option would produce more benefits for the UK economy and the UK aviation industry, at less environmental cost, than any of the other options on which the government has consulted.

"Virgin Atlantic believes that this option will have the overwhelming support of businesses, tourism bodies, trade unions, the airline community and the travelling public. However, Virgin accepts that airlines need to do more to be good neighbours and to be as environmentally friendly as possible. This will require action by the industry, by government and by the international community working together. "

Forum Response: British Airways

A spokeswoman for BA told ePolitix.com: "BAA's work is important in confirming that it is possible to develop a third regional runway at Heathrow.

"Their full submission shows that of all the runway options, Heathrow would provide the greatest economic benefits.

"They also show how key environmental issues - including new rail links to Heathrow - can be tackled and confirm that, with careful management the challenge of managing local emissions can be successfully met."

Forum Response: Countryside Alliance

Richard Burge, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, told ePolitix.com: "We have been keeping an eye on this issue for some time; in November we created an 'airport checklist', encouraging interested parties to fill one in and send it to the Department for Transport's consultative committee to show how they would be affected by airport expansion.

"I would urge anyone living near any proposed expansion or development sites to use our checklist to help establish how this will affect them, and then to send it to the Department for Transport's consultation.

"While we in no way want to be reactionary, we feel the government would do well not to make any decisions without taking into account the people, livelihoods and environment that would suffer as a result of expansion".

Forum Response: The Woodland Trust

Ed Pomfret, spokesman for the Woodland Trust, told ePolitix.com: "It is laughable that BAA's response is entitled 'Responsible growth'.

"These are the most destructive options for airport expansion. What BAA said today in response to the government's consultation on airport growth is a recipe for disaster. Ancient woodland has been continuously wooded for at least four hundred years and contains more threatened species than any other UK habitat.

"In the past BAA has claimed that ancient woodland is important and that the company 'aims to enhance wildlife at each site'. Given what they've just said, this now appears to be just green-wash.

"The proposals to build a second runway at Gatwick and two new runways at Stansted would directly destroy over 100 hectares (247 acres) of ancient woodland and seriously affect hundreds more hectares in the surrounding area due to increased pollution.

"Additionally, forecasts show that aviation will be one of the biggest single contributors to climate change. Climate change is the biggest single threat to nature. And once airports expand, associated transport and housing will further encroach on our green spaces. The Trust will continue to fight all proposals that threaten ancient woodland, a habitat that only covers two per cent of the country."