Chris Grayling, transport secretary for Britain, has revealed the long awaited decision about a new runway at one of London’s airports will finally be made on Tuesday.

The proposals for expansion include a new runway to the north west of Heathrow Airport, an extension of Heathrow’s existing northern runway or a new runway to the south of Gatwick Airport.

In an interview earlier, Grayling confirmed the decision over whether Heathrow or Gatwick will get another runway would be taken this week.

Grayling commented: “It is going to be a decision taken on Tuesday and it is a difficult one because all three of these are well-crafted proposals and any one of them could bring benefit to the UK.

A decision has been delayed so long questions are currently being asked about the potential of granting permission for new runways at both Heathrow and Gatwick simultaneously in order to meet demand.

“There are three very good choices on the table.”

The government has used a series of delaying tactics in recent years to avoid taking a decision, leaving aviation insiders increasingly exasperated.