The Heathrow Airport capacity saga has taken another huge twist, as bosses at the facility are set to submit plans for a new runway to the south-west of the aviation hub.

According to the London Evening Standard, proposals for an expansion out into the Stanwell Moor area are to be handed over to the Davies Commission, which is weighing up possible solutions for increasing airport space in the south-east of England.

Heathrow's previous plans to build a third runway to the north of the airport appear to have been scrapped after encountering fierce opposition from local residents.

This new blueprint is said to be one of three options given to the commission by Heathrow, although it could take a while before a final decision on the best ways to boost runway capacity is made.

As well as extending Heathrow, the government is giving thought to the idea of building a new hub airport in the Thames Estuary, while some aviation experts have also suggested expanding Gatwick and Stansted airports.