A leading figure in the aviation sector believes Heathrow will not receive a much-needed third runway because of political reasons.

Chief executive of International Airlines Group - which owns major airlines like British Airways and Iberia - Willie Walsh thinks that politicians across the London area will not throw their support behind an airport expansion because they fear upsetting local voters.

With airports in eastern countries expected to grow and grow, Mr Walsh said the lack of action to increase the capacity of the UK's largest aviation hub - and also the current busiest airport on earth - is "tragic".

"The truth of it is the world moves on and the UK will get left behind. It is political and you don't have politicians who are brave enough to grasp this," Mr Walsh remarked.

His thoughts are echoed by entrepreneur Richard Branson, who recently told Travel Weekly that he has been calling for more runway space in the UK for 30 years.