Installing a third runway at Heathrow could lower ticket prices.

A report by Frontier Economics claimed passengers are paying an extra £95 due to a lack of capacity. It stated that by 2030, the average cost of a return journey could be up to £300 less if the airport was allowed to expand.

Heathrow stated it has not been able to add any more flights to its portfolio for a decade, despite witnessing an increase in demand. This, it warned, was pushing up the cost of air travel. Chief executive Colin Matthews said the transport hub could increase the number of direct connections it operates by a further 40 destinations if it was given the go-ahead to install a third runway.

Mr Matthews added: "This additional burden on both the cost of living for families and on businesses is entirely avoidable."

The report also stated passengers would benefit further if both Heathrow and Gatwick were allowed to expand. It claimed this would create a greater level of competition between the two airports.