New hub airport capacity is needed to boost trade between the UK and developing economies, business leaders have claimed.

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) says hub airports are the best means of delivering new routes to emerging markets by drawing on transfer passengers and local populations.

According to research conducted by Steer Davies Gleave, hub airports serve on average nearly three times as many destinations as point-to-point airports, while delivering almost twice as many flights on the routes that are served.

The CBI warns that, as the UK's bub capacity at Heathrow is already full, the country is falling behind other countries on direct flights to emerging markets. Other members of the European Enion are currently creating links to developing economies such as Xiamen in China and Recife in Brazil.

CBI deputy director-general Katja Hall said: "It is essential that the Airports Commission delivers a solution that addresses the ticking time bomb of our lack of spare hub capacity."