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Backing for the expansion of Heathrow has come from 23 Chambers of Commerce representing more than 40,000 businesses.
The Chambers called on businesses across the UK to support Heathrow during the Airports Commission’s national consultation or risk the UK falling behind European hub airport rivals.
They outlined their support for a third runway at Heathrow in an open letter to the commission.
The airport has established an independent National Connectivity Task Force, charged with developing concrete policy proposals and recommendations for improving regional access at an expanded Heathrow.
Members include representatives of national airports, Chambers of Commerce, Local Enterprise Partnerships, business people from around the UK and airlines.
A final report from the task force is due before the end of the year and will inform on-going discussions with the Airports Commission on airport capacity expansion in the south-east.
The letter from the Chambers said: “A successful aviation industry is vital for UK economic growth. We all support our local airports and want them to grow their route network and flourish.
“But Heathrow provides the UK with something different. Heathrow is our hub airport, and one of only six airports worldwide with more than 50 long haul routes.
“We need it to expand to continue to put on the flights that drive tourism, inward investment and connect our businesses to key markets in places like China, India, Brazil.
“The Airports Commission process is the UK’s last chance to expand our hub airport. Our European rivals will be watching with interest to see if the UK wants to remain a country with major global links, or if we are happy to export that advantage, and the jobs and growth with it, to Paris, Frankfurt and Amsterdam.
“As Chambers of Commerce across the UK we are also following this debate closely. The expansion of the UK’s only hub airport, Heathrow, will benefit my region and I will be making my voice heard in the Airports Commission national consultation.”
Heathrow chief executive, John Holland-Kaye, said: “More and more people across the UK are recognising the critical role Heathrow plays in the success of the British economy.
“Business is telling the commission that Heathrow is geographically in the best location, is the only airport that can deliver flights to the world’s growth markets and the only option that has exports front and centre of its expansion plans.
“With over 25% of all British exports going through Heathrow, compared to only 4% at Gatwick, businesses up and down the country are making it clear that Heathrow is the only option that can help Britain with the race for growth.”