Airport operator and owner BAA is threatening legal action if the Government continues to rule out a third runway at Heathrow, according to reports.

BAA hopes to ensure the government will consider expanding Heathrow as part of its aviation review, which will be revealed later this month when the Department for Transport (DOT) publishes its new aviation policy. The DOT have raised concerns for the negative environmental impact that a third runway would have.

Today, BAA is expected to release the findings of its latest research, underaken by Oxford Economics, that will highlight the level of trade, investment and tourism that the UK is at risk of losing as Heathrow continues to operate at its full capacity.

The campaign has been picking up support with influential figures signing their names to a petition and urging the Government to reopen discussions about a third runway.