The decision on building a new runway in the South East is expected to be delayed as the Coalition remains split on a solution.
The Conservatives are no longer rejecting the idea of a third runway at Heathrow airport, instead considering the move among a number of others.
But the Lib Dems are still opposed to any major expansion of airports in the south-east, reports the Financial Times.
The industry is awaiting an aviation paper due out this summer which will look at how to preserve the UK as a leading aviation hub. The original plan was to publish this three months ago.
The delay means ministers may not have to make a firm commitment to any new hub capacity before the next election.
A report commissioned by BAA in September said that the UK risked missing out on trade worth £14bn with developing countries during the next decade because Heathrow cannot expand.
By Diane Evans
