Heathrow vs. Gatwick? It’s decision day for airport expansion in the south east

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The government will announce its long-awaited decision on airport expansion today, with transport secretary Chris Grayling expected to signal expansion across the UK's regional airports, as well as in the south east.

Heathrow is the favourite to get the green light over Gatwick, while Grayling will also stress the desire for further projects beyond the site.

Although the decision has already been delayed on numerous occasions, the final go-ahead for airport expansion may not be for another year. 

Read more: Should Heathrow and Gatwick both get new runways?

Theresa May has said there will be an "exceptional and limited" arrangement where MPs "with long-held views and constituency issues" will have the change to speak out against it. The final vote on airport expansion will then come in late 2017/2018 to allow for public debate.

A Heathrow memo sent to airlines said it expected the government to issue a short statement indicating the preferred option between 11am and 12.30pm, before Chris Grayling makes a statement in the House of Commons at 12.30pm.

London First's infrastructure director David Learn said once the decision is given today: "Britain can finally move on from the whether and the where to the how."

"While jaws have dropped at the potential time scales for any new runway to gain planning permission and be built, Britain’s recent experience with major infrastructure projects like the Thames Tideway is that while the planning process can be slow, permission is being granted in line with expectations at its end."

Legal challenges are expected regardless of whether Gatwick or Heathrow is chosen by the government, with Greenpeace announcing last week that it would be joining local councils to to prepare a challenge against Heathrow.

Read more: Heathrow confident of getting the green light

The Airports Commission recommended a third runway at Heathrow, though other options include a new runway at Gatwick – favoured by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, or extending one of Heathrow's existing runways.

Heathrow already operates at 98 per cent capacity and Gatwick is expected to run out of space in the next few years.