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The government has signed off plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport, with transport secretary Chris Grayling telling MPs "the time for action is now".
Cabinet ministers approved outline plans for the £14.3bn expansion today (Tuesday).
MPs are now set for a final vote on the issue by 11 July.
Grayling said the project, due for completion by 2026, is in the national interest and would benefit the whole of the UK, with 15% of new landing slots at the airport facilitating regional connectivity.
Separately, Grayling has also announced £2.6bn in compensation for residents and noise abatement measures.
The expansion is expected to create around 60,000 new jobs and generate £70bn in total economic benefits by the 2050s.
