Liberal Democrat business secretary Vince Cable is backing the expansion of Gatwick over Heathrow.
The government coalition partner party is due to unveil its policy on airports at its party conference in Glasgow tomorrow (Tuesday).
But Cable is reported by the BBC as saying expansion at Gatwick was “a preferable alternative” and “less problematic” than a third runway at Heathrow.
The MP for Twickenham has previously voiced his opposition to expansion of Heathrow – one of three options shortlisted by the Airport Commission chaired by Sir Howard Davies.
Cable said last December: “The Davies Commission interim report has put Heathrow at the front of its thinking which is questionable economically, damaging environmentally and probably undeliverable politically.
“My strong view is that the Davies review should not decide to press ahead with Heathrow options and I will be making that view known in the strongest terms.
“I fully support the need to improve UK business links with airports in the emerging markets of Asia which is important for jobs, but this could be achieved more quickly by reforming and reallocating airport slots; by building up point to point services; and by strengthening the capacity of UK regional airports.
“Such is the impact of noise on hundreds of thousands of people in London that pushing ahead with Heathrow expansion is almost certainly the worst option for expanding airport capacity.”