BAA 'lobbying for long runway at Heathrow'

Airports operator BAA has begun lobbying for another full-length runway to be installed at Heathrow Airport, according to reports.

Another full-size landing strip would allow more services from large long-haul aircraft.

In the past BAA's intentions were to install a shorter runway rather than a 4,000-metre full-size strip but plans have changed ahead of the release of a new consultation document on the airport's expansion, the Times reports.

An aviation industry executive told the newspaper: "They [BAA] are pushing hard on a full-length runway, which I find difficult to understand.

"I think it is because they think, possibly rightly, that getting any new runway at Heathrow is going to be a monumental battle, so they may as well go the whole way."

Local residents and environmental groups have expressed strong opposition to the prospect of expansion at Heathrow Airport.

Earlier this month a study was released by the Conservative party which recommended a moratorium on all airport expansions in the south-east as Britain strives to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions.