THE Government has agreed to increase the UK's airport capacity by building a third runway at Heathrow, leading to potential new flights at a North-East airport.

The decision to expand Heathrow over Gatwick was approved by ministers at a cabinet meeting this morning.

New flights between Durham Tees Valley Airport and Heathrow could be created as a result of the expansion, according to the Government.

Steve Gill, chief executive of Durham Tees Valley Airport, said: “We welcome the Government’s recommendation for London Heathrow as its preferred location for additional south east capacity.  “Connectivity into the UK’s global hub is key to supporting economic growth of the regions and secured slots for regional services will ensure the economic benefit including inbound tourism are felt across the UK.

“Heathrow’s announcement proposing that Durham Tees Valley will be one of six domestic routes added once the expansion is completed is welcome and we look forward to working with them and airline partners to explore this in the future.”

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said the Government has made a “momentous” decision and added the new flights could be in operation by 2030.

“I am proud that after years of discussion and delay this Government is taking decisive action to secure the UK’s place in the global aviation market – securing jobs and business opportunities for the next decade and beyond.

“A new runway at Heathrow will improve connectivity in the UK itself and crucially boost our connections with the rest of the world, supporting exports, trade and job opportunities.

"This isn’t just a great deal for business, it’s a great deal for passengers who will also benefit from access to more airlines, destinations and flights.

Heathrow says a third runway will create thousands of jobs and strengthen an existing link with Newcastle Airport, which already sees around 500,000 passengers use British Airways services between the two bases every year.

Newcastle Airport said they "welcomed" the decision to build a third runway at Heathrow.

Graeme Mason, planning and corporate affairs director at Newcastle Airport, said: “We are pleased that the Government has agreed with the recommendations of the Airports Commission and decided in favour of expanding Heathrow.

“We will now support the Government and others to ensure that the third runway is built and to maximise the benefits to the North East that this development will bring.

“The North East currently enjoys good connectivity into Heathrow with up to six British Airways services a day, supporting over 500,000 passengers to and from the North East.

“By constructing a third runway, and providing additional capacity, we hope these services can be safeguarded, and can in the future also connect to a much wider range of global destinations.”

A Heathrow spokesperson said: “We welcome the news that Heathrow is Government’s preferred site for a new runway and look forward to hearing the full details later from the Transport Secretary.

“Expansion of Heathrow is the only option that will connect all of the UK to global growth, helping to build a stronger and fairer economy.

“We await the full details, but Heathrow stands ready to work with Government, businesses, airlines and our local communities to deliver an airport that is fair, affordable and secures the benefits of expansion for the whole of the UK.”

The North East Chamber of Commerce has also revealed its support for the Government’s decision.

James Ramsbotham, chief executive said: “We are absolutely delighted with the Government’s decision to move forward with expansion at Heathrow Airport - this long-awaited conclusion is a welcome one for North East England and the whole of the UK.

“We would now urge MPs to support this positive decision as the National Policy Statement is brought forward.

“North East England is a globally-facing, exporting region and access to the UK’s international hub airport is a vital part of that success.”

John Holland-Kaye, chief executive of Heathrow Airport, told The Northern Echo earlier this year that an expansion at the UK’s biggest airport would strengthen its links with Newcastle Airport, whilst refusing to rule out flights returning to Durham Tees Valley Airport.

“We are committed to doing everything we can to support regional connectivity by making routes to domestic airports more attractive to airlines.

“We are working together in support of the Newcastle routes; we want to grow connections between Newcastle and Heathrow.

“For lots of international businesses who want to base themselves in the UK, easy access to the North-East is vital” he added.

Gatwick, run by its Bishop Auckland-born boss, Stewart Wingate, had said a second runway would be cheaper and quicker to build, and provide greater benefits for business and leisure passengers.

Mr Wingate said: “We are disappointed as we do not believe this is the right answer for Britain - Gatwick has put forward a credible financeable and deliverable plan for expansion.

“It is a plan that can guarantee growth and guarantee certainty for Britain. We look forward to studying the full reasons behind the Government decision in detail.

“The challenges facing Heathrow have not changed. Our message today is that Gatwick stands ready to proceed when the time comes.”

Mr Grayling added: “This is an important issue for the whole country. That is why the government’s preferred scheme will be subject to full and fair public consultation.

"Of course it is also hugely important for those living near the airport. That is why we have made clear that expansion will only be allowed to proceed on the basis of a world class package of compensation and mitigation worth up to £2.6 billion, including community support, insulation, and respite from noise – balancing the benefits and the impacts of expansion.”

Anna Turley, MP for Redcar, said:  “I am really pleased that after years of delay the Government has finally taken the decision to build the third runway at Heathrow Airport.

“A new runway has huge potential to connect with Durham Tees Valley Airport and broaden our regional connectivity to the rest of the country and the wider world.

“Their promise to build the new runway and terminal with British steel, and to ensure that job opportunities will not just be focused on the South East but also on our region is excellent news.”

Phil Wilson, MP for Sedgefield, said: “This is excellent news - we’ve been campaigning for this for years now, but we’ve always known it was a matter of capacity at Heathrow and the third runway will give us that.

"It will give Tees Valley a link to a major international hub.”