Heathrow's £49bn plan for a third runway has been chosen as the plan to expand the airport, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has announced.
It means the competing plan for a shorter runway, as proposed by hotel tycoon Surinder Arora, has been rejected.
Heathrow says the project will be 100% privately financed, through higher airline costs, and no taxpayer money will be used to build the runway or the associated infrastructure.
But it will require re-routing the M25 motorway - one of the busiest in the country and the demolition of nearby villages.
The proposal is still subject to the planning process including consultation and parliamentary scrutiny.
The full length of the runway is not known, as the layout and associated infrastructure implications will continue to be considered by the Department for Transport.
The department added the selection of Heathrow's scheme does not represent a final decision on a third runway or its design.
Ms Alexander said: "Heathrow is our only hub airport which supports trade, tourism and hundreds of thousands of jobs, underpinning prosperity not only in the South East but across the UK.
"Today is another important step to enable a third runway and build on these benefits, setting the direction for the remainder of our work to get the policy framework in place for airport expansion. This will allow a decision on a third runway plan this parliament which meets our key tests including on the environment and economic growth.
"We're acting swiftly and decisively to get this project off the ground so we can realise its transformational potential for passengers, businesses, and our economy sooner."
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