But airport rail link "essential"
MPs on the House of Commons transport Committee have backed a third runway at London Heathrow Airport.
But they said improved rail links to the hub were "essential".
‘The future of aviation', published today (December 7) by the select committee on transport, backed the government's decision to support a third runway at Heathrow, due to the "economic benefits to the UK".
But the committee said it was "concerned" about the "lack of clarity" on when planning permission would be sought by BAA and when construction would be started.
The committee rejected arguments opposing the third runway based on environmental issues, saying that constraining Heathrow would only shift flights to other European airports.
It said: "We are not persuaded that refusing a third runway would be helpful in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
"Heathrow's competitor airports have expanded their runway capacity and have plans to increase flights and passenger numbers.
"Climate change and emissions from aviation are international problems that cannot be solved by isolated restrictions on airport development."
The committee also backed plans for a direct link to the national rail network for Heathrow, saying it is "essential" for "maximising the economic benefits of an enlarged Heathrow".
Plans for a high speed rail network in the UK also met with approval, but the committee said it found no evidence that high-speed rail offers a viable alternative to expansion of Heathrow.
"Provided that good quality airport links are provided, high-speed rail will provide an alternative to some domestic flights, a welcome choice for passengers, and strengthen the UK's major airports," said the committee.
"Enhancing rail access to Heathrow will also maximise the economic benefits of the UK's international gateway airport."
The committee also suggested that Gatwick should be a priority over Stansted for any additional runway in the southeast, saying that "a national case" for expansion of Stansted had not been made.
"The delays in arriving at a final decision on a second runway at Stansted, coupled with the recession and declining passenger numbers, mean that a second runway is unlikely to be completed before 2019, when the restriction on an additional runway at Gatwick expires," said the committee.
"The government should reconsider whether the additional runway, if required, should be located at Gatwick rather than Stansted."
The Transport Committee's paper comes a day before the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) is due to publish its own report on aviation.
The CCC, an independent body established under the Climate Change Act, will advise the government tomorrow on setting carbon budgets for aviation and on any progress made in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
www.theccc.org.uk www.parliament.uk