Heathrow Airport chiefs have submitted revised plans for a third runway to the Airports Commission.

They have given the organisation three options - a runway to the north, north-west and south-west of the existing facility - and are adamant that all of them are quicker and cheaper than building a brand new hub airport on the outskirts of London.

The updated proposals will make room for a significant number of additional passengers by 2025-29 and will cost between £14 billion and £18 billion.

Colin Matthews, Heathrow's chief executive, said there has been 50 years of "vigorous debate" about raising airport capacity in the UK, but now is the time to act.

"It is clear that the best solution for taxpayers, passengers and business is to build on the strength we already have at Heathrow," he remarked.

Earlier this week (July 15th), mayor of London Boris Johnson also outlined three proposals for extending the nation's airport capacity, none of which involved Heathrow.

He would prefer to see an expansion of Stansted or a new site in the Thames Estuary or Isle of Grain.