A survey by independent polling company Ipsos Mori has revealed that almost 60% of MPs support a third runway at Heathrow, while just 13% back a second runway at Gatwick. Of those who back a third runway at Heathrow, 90% believe that the proposal would receive parliamentary approval.

Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye said: “More and more people are backing Heathrow as the best solution for the UK-hub capacity crisis. The countries that Britain needs to trade with are changing fast, and only a hub airport can provide direct access to these markets.”

Only 8% of the MPs who were polled voted in favour of a new Thames Estuary airport — a proposal that was officially rejected earlier this month — while 13% voted in favour of doing nothing. The survey involved face-to-face interviews with 143 MPs between 9 June and 6 August.

Meanwhile, Medway Council has praised the decision to reject proposals for an airport in the Thames Estuary. Council leader Rodney Chambers said the threat of the airport had “caused misery for residents. We have said all along that it should never have even been considered.

The cost to the tax-payer was never fully explained, and it would have resulted in the mass destruction of habitat and wildlife that could never be replaced.

"The scheme has been a distraction that we could have done without as we worked on our existing regeneration plans to bring new jobs and homes to Medway.”