Heathrow Airport has hit back at the Royal Borough and the partner authorities who are working to block its expansion plans.

The councils have already asked the court of appeal to quash the Government's National Airports Policy that supported the Heathrow expansion plan under Theresa May and are waiting for a result. Last week the Royal Borough and neighbouring authorities of Hillingdon, Wandsworth, Richmond and Hammersmith and Fulham wrote directly to the new look Boris Johnson run Government calling on it to rethink its attitude.

In the past Mr Johnson has declared himself opposed to expansion.

In a formal reply this week the Heathrow management insisted it was possible to tackle climate change while continuing to enjoy the jobs and economic benefits of an expanded airport.

It said: “Climate change is the biggest issue for our generation. The global aviation industry must decarbonise so we achieve net zero emissions by 2050 while continuing to enable opportunities for trade, jobs and economic growth, which are vital to the communities closest to Heathrow.

"We have welcomed the CCC’s (Committee on Climate Change) recommendation to include aviation in the net zero emissions target by 2050, and we will now work with local authorities, industry partners and the Government to ensure the UK continues to benefit from a thriving aviation sector while driving towards net zero emissions. Heathrow expansion will only be delivered within strict and legally-binding environmental limits.”