The Government is expected to renew backing for new runways at Heathrow and Stansted.
In a progress report to the 2003 Aviation White Paper, transport secretary Douglas Alexander is to say the government is still keen on a third, short, runway at Heathrow and a second runway at Stansted.
The White paper gave a timetable of 2015-20 for a third runway at Heathrow but only if strict noise and air quality levels were met.
The 2011-12 timetable for an additional Stansted runway has slipped.
Plans for Heathrow include the possibility of both existing runways running a mixed mode operation allowing aircraft to land and take off from the same runway at peak times.
Report by Phil Davies
