Tories claim victory over Heathrow expansion

AIRPORT operator BAA today said it would not submit a planning application for a third runway at Heathrow before the general election.

The Conservatives, who have a manifesto pledge to scrap Government plans for extra capacity at the airport and look likely to win power, insisted the announcement showed BAA had "given up".

Theresa Villiers, the shadow transport minister, revealed that "senior" BAA figures told Tory aides the company was bowing to runway opposition.

But BAA was adamant it was not abandoning its battle. It claimed the "complex" process of submitting a planning application was always going to take until after the general election.

"We continue to work on the application and will take as long as is necessary to prepare a proper submission," said a spokeswoman.

BAA's Gatwick airport could be sold within days in a deal with an investment fund. The new owner would be Global Infrastructure Partners, a joint venture between Credit Suisse and General Electric.