The British government will unveil its plan today on how to boost capacity at the country's overcrowded airports, but consumers and airlines are lining up against it.
Newspapers have speculated for months about what Transport Secretary Mr Alistair Darling will say when the government's air transport policy for the next 30 years is presented.
The Guardianreported yesterday that MrDarling will announce plans to build a second runway at Stansted, Europe's biggest base for budget carriers located north-east of London, instead of another at Heathrow which is straining to meet demand.
Mr Darling is also set to try increase landing and take-off capacity at Heathrow, the world's busiest international airport, the Financial Timesreported.
Whatever the plan, it will do little to quell a bitter debate that has raged for more than a year over how Britain will cope with air travel demand that is forecast to triple by 2030.