Chief executive officer at Heathrow Colin Matthews has warned the UK faces losing its status as an international aviation hub unless airport expansion plans are put into action.

He suggested that competitors around the world are looking to increase the capacity of their facilities by 50 per cent more than the current limit placed on Heathrow.

The London airport - which accommodated 6.5 million passengers in June 2013 alone - is one of just six global aviation hubs that offers regular services to more than 50 long-haul destinations, along with Dubai, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, New York's JFK and Paris.

Mr Matthews added that as things stand, Paris and Frankfurt will overtake Heathrow as Europe's largest airport within the next ten years, which is why the Airports Commission - which will ultimately decide on the best way to enhance the UK's runway capacity - needs to give the green light to Heathrow expansion work.

"If the UK does not want to be left behind by its foreign rivals, it must have the connectivity to compete and trade on the world stage," he remarked.