GOVERNMENT indecision on UK airport expansion could put North-East businesses at risk, industry leaders have warned.

Officials have called on Prime Minister David Cameron to end uncertainty over Heathrow and Gatwick’s fight for an extra runway, saying deferrals have the potential to damage North-East exports and Newcastle Airport’s growth.

Heathrow’s bid for a third runway has been backed by the Government-appointed Davies Commission, though ministers have since stalled on a final ruling to address environmental concerns.

A decision is not expected until after June’s EU referendum.

In response to the delay, airport expansion campaign body Let Britain Fly will hold a North-East event, which it says will draw industry experts and MPs together to stir Downing Street into action.

Backed by the North-East Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and Newcastle Airport, the North East Air Connectivity Summit will look at existing links to the capital, and how a new runway could help deliver more jobs and economic prosperity.

Newcastle Airport has long called for Heathrow’s proposal to be approved, as it seeks to build on British Airways’ flights that carry close to 500,000 passengers a year between the bases.

Graeme Mason, the site’s planning and corporate affairs director, said it was important a decision was reached quickly.

He said: “The Government’s delay was a great disappointment, but this hasn’t stopped us making the case for the option that best meets the needs of the North-East - a third runway at Heathrow Airport.

“We very much hope there will be a decision in the summer in favour of Heathrow, so intend to continue our work with Let Britain Fly, FSB and other partners to ensure much needed capacity is delivered.”

John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow’s chief executive, last week told The Northern Echo his plans are far superior to Gatwick, saying he has the support of airports, airlines, politicians, business groups and unions.

However, his Bishop Auckland-born Gatwick rival, Stewart Wingate, said serious questions remain over the environmental impact of Heathrow’s expansion, adding his new runway would be built quicker and at no cost to the taxpayer.

Urging a ruling, Ted Salmon, FSB’s North-East regional chairman, said it was imperative decision-makers consider companies’ futures when reaching their verdict.

He added: “As the only region in the UK with a positive balance of trade, international connectivity is critical to helping the North-East’s economy continue to thrive.

“Small businesses across the region play a huge role in this and depend on quick and easy access between Newcastle and London.

“The summit seeks to address this and ensure air connectivity matches the ambitions of the North-East business base.”

The event, due to take place at Price Waterhouse Coopers, in Newcastle, on Friday, April 22, will feature Mr Salmon and Mr Mason, as well as MPs including North Durham’s Kevan Jones, North West Durham’s Pat Glass and Newcastle North’s Catherine McKinnell.

• Meanwhile, holiday firm Jet2 has announced further winter flights from Newcastle Airport. The company says a new Palma service will start in March 2017, with more flights added to Malaga and Alicante.