Constraints on capacity at London Heathrow Airport are restricting the economic potential of the United Kingdom according to the All Party Parliamentary Group on Aviation.

The findings will bolster supporters of a third runway at Heathrow, with many yesterday calling on prime minister David Cameron to change course and support the development.

The committee argued the UK is being left behind on airport capacity provision where demand is greatest.

All efforts should be made “to ensure the UK retains and grows hub capacity” at Heathrow or a new purpose-built hub airport, the group said.

London mayor Boris Johnson has been at the forefront of calls for a new hub airport in the Thames Estuary.

Controversial Air Passenger Duty was also a “barrier to inward business” the group of MPs claimed in the report.

Group chairman Brian Donohoe said: “In order to achieve the greatest possible economic and social contribution from aviation, we need two things from Government: a forward-looking aviation policy that allows for aviation growth; and a new approach to the taxation of aviation. Combined, a new approach could not only energise the sector but also provide a firm foundation for the UK’s economic recovery.”