JOBS could be lost unless more airport runways are built, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has warned.

Air passenger levels are to double over the next 15 years and airport capacity has to be expanded, said CBI director general Digby Jones.

Jobs could go to foreign competitors if UK airports could not cope with the expected air traffic increase, he said.

Mr Jones told the Institution of Civil Engineers: "Aviation is not just a major industry in its own right, it is a key driver of economic growth.

"If UK airports cannot sustain a level of service throughput that is at least as good as that available to our competitors in northern Europe, there is a real danger of us losing out when companies take investment decisions."

He said London and South-East England had had little additional runway capacity in the past 50 years, while other European countries had actively pursued a policy of meeting future demand.

A good, well-connected regional airport was the key to regional development, he said, but "the planning system is working against job creation and a better standard of living in many areas of the UK".

Mr Jones also criticised the system that has delayed a decision on a fifth terminal at Heathrow airport, which is still not known six years after a public inquiry began.

"The CBI is not saying legitimate concerns should not be heard, but the process needs to become more streamlined, efficient and less confrontational."

l Last week, the North-East's airports called on the Government to make better use of regional facilities to meet demand for future air travel.

Newcastle and Teesside airports were responding to the consultation process that will shape a policy for aviation for the next 30 years.

The airports are united in the view that regional facilities are vital to the economic development prospects of the North-East, and will have significant impacts on job creation.

Newcastle and Teesside have stressed the need for Government policy to recognise the importance of domestic air services from region to region and to other world markets.

Maintaining air services to London Heathrow are regarded as essential by both airports for the future competitiveness of the North-East.