The government faces the prospect of legal challenges as MPs voted overwhelmingly in favour of a third runway at Heathrow last night.
Airlines welcomed the 296 majority vote backing the £14 billion plans but critics suggested legal challenges could delay the proposals for at least two years.
Carriers said they would work with the Civil Aviation Authority to design a regulatory framework that will “ruthlessly protect passengers from increased costs”.
Greenpeace UK said it was ready to join a cross-party group of London councils and mayor Sadiq Khan in a legal challenge against the third runway.
And Friends of the Earth said: “MPs who backed this climate-wrecking new runway will be harshly judged by history.
“The evidence on the accelerating climate crisis, which is already hitting the world’s most vulnerable people, is overwhelming – and expanding Heathrow will only intensify the misery.”
Transport secretary Chris Grayling is now expected to designate the final Airports National Policy Statement approved by Parliament. This will set the policy framework for Heathrow’s north-west runway development consent application.
Heathrow is preparing to hold a second public consultation on its plans before submitting a development consent order application to the planners, kick-starting an approval process expected to take a minimum of 18 months.
In addition to Heathrow’s consultation, the development consent process will provide further opportunities for residents and stakeholders to influence Heathrow’s proposal, the airport said.
Construction would begin in 2021 ahead of the new runway opening in 2026 if Heathrow is granted development consent.
Heathrow has made “binding commitments” to deliver a £2.6 billion compensation package to local residents, implement a 6.5 hour ban on scheduled night flights and a “triple lock” guarantee to meet air quality obligations.
But International Airlines group chief executive Willie Walsh said he was certain that costs would far exceed the budget for expansion of the west London hub – resulting in extra charges for passengers.
He has previously warned that a three runway Heathrow will be the most expensive hub airport in the world and called for competition to be introduced to build and operate new terminals at the airport to drive down costs.
Virgin Atlantic CEO Craig Kreeger said after the government won the vote by 415 to 119: “We firmly believe that Heathrow is the right choice for expansion and applaud this landmark parliamentary vote.
“As the country’s only hub airport, Heathrow is uniquely placed to support continued growth in UK trade and tourism – sending a strong signal to the world that we’re open for business.
An expanded Heathrow must provide desperately needed, and long overdue airline competition to deliver more international destinations, lower fares and better connectivity to UK regions.”
But he added: “As we look to the future there are still a lot of important milestones and decisions ahead. It’s important that Heathrow, the government and airlines maintain the momentum to deliver an expansion which offers value for money for passengers, effective competition, and is mindful of the community.”
Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK, the industry association that represents 13 UK carriers, said: “This is a welcome shot in the arm for UK plc, and a sign that there is clear political consensus within the House of Commons for taking this project to the next stage.
“Airlines stand ready to respond to the unlocking of new capacity by creating new routes and helping to connect the UK to new markets and destinations. The economic boost this will provide to all regions of the UK will be transformational.
“We’ve always said that we have concerns about some elements of the scheme – notably on future charges, as well as the impact of restrictions on early morning operations on UK connectivity for cargo and passengers – and we will continue to work constructively with the CAA on designing a regulatory regime that will ruthlessly protect passengers from increased costs.
“We fully expect the secretary of state to enforce his stated aim of keeping passenger charges at today’s levels but until we receive complete clarity on this our support for the new runway will remain conditional for now.”
Heathrow said the vote secures £14 billion in private investment in the UK, providing up to 40 new long-haul links, more competition and new domestic flights.
The airport’s chief executive John Holland-Kaye said: “Parliament has ended 50 years of debate by deciding that Heathrow expansion will go ahead. This vote will see us deliver more jobs, create a lasting legacy of skills for future generations and guarantee expansion is delivered responsibly.
“We are grateful that MPs have made the right choice for Britain and today we start work to create the best connected hub airport in the world.”
The airport will release plans over the coming months to deliver a skills strategy so local residents can benefit from up to 40,000 new airport jobs that an expanded Heathrow requires.
Mark Tanzer, Abta’s chief executive welcomed the vote as an important step forward in tackling the airport capacity constraints in the South East.
“With Heathrow operating at full capacity, expansion will deliver the increased connectivity UK businesses need, enabling new trade links to be forged with fast growing economies across the globe.
“Abta recognises that expansion must be delivered in a sustainable and cost-effective manner, and we welcome the role the CAA will play in ensuring consumers are not burdened with the costs.
“Abta will continue to represent its Members views – and those of their customers – as part of the ongoing consultation process.”
Regional carrier Flybe said: “The airline looks forward in continuing to work with Heathrow to explore the viability and commercial feasibility of developing more domestic routes to ensure the expanded airport benefits the whole of the UK.”