Heathrow has announced a package of measures to fulfill the Airports Commission's recommendation to expand the airport.

In July last year, the Commission "unanimously and unambiguously" endorsed expanding the airport after a £20 million study into the best option for expansion, which involves building a third runway.

Heathrow Chief Executive John Holland-Kaye has now written to Prime Minister David Cameron setting out proposals which takes in the national and economic gains with expansion, including its environmental impacts.

It is estimated an extra £211 billion will be generated for the economy via the scheme, along with creating 180,000 jobs.

Features of Heathrow's proposed measures include:

• The introduction of a ban by Government on scheduled flights for six and a half hours between 11pm and 5:30am – an increase from five hours today -  and supporting the earlier introduction of the ban after planning consent is received and the necessary airspace has been modernised.

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• A proposal for the Environment Agency to be given the role of an independent aviation air quality authority, to provide transparent scrutiny of the measures Heathrow will introduce to enable it to expand only in accordance with air quality rules.

• Establishing an Education and Skills Taskforce that will identify how best to develop the airport's future skilled workforce and to create a legacy for UK infrastructure projects.

Four UK leading architectural practices, Grimshaw , Zaha Hadid, HOK and Benoy, have been selected to produce sustainable and innovative designs for the project.

In his letter to the PM, Mr Holland-Kaye said: "You set up the Airports Commission and it unanimously recommended expanding Heathrow. You demanded ambitious plans from my team to deliver expansion with a bold and fair deal for our neighbours.

"Today, I am proud to submit a comprehensive plan that meets and exceeds your demands.   This is a big commitment from us, but it is the right choice for the country, local communities and jobs across Britain.

"We have acted now to let you and your government make the right choice, in the long term interest of our country. It will enable you to choose Heathrow and secure a stronger economy and Britain's place in the world."

(LM)