Former deputy leader of the Labour Party, John Prescott has tweeted this explanation of how he sees the things.

Labour's shadow chancellor John McDonnell, whose constituency includes Heathrow Airport, says the government's backing of a third runway is "appalling". 

It was the worst of the three options and repeats the mistakes of the Labour government who backed it in 2009, he tells BBC News. 

"No government can get over the science" of the extra air pollution. 

The decision is also "toxic politically - it will rouse a campaign against it", he adds.

Some more responses from Business Live readers about the government's decision to back a third runway at Heathrow. Thanks for all the ones that have come in so far, keep them coming.  

Green party co-leader Caroline Lucas says she's prepared to take drastic steps.

Speaking to the London Evening Standard, external, after this morning's cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Theresa May outlined the economic benefits a bigger Heathrow might bring.

The Prime Minister said: "Airport expansion is vital for the economic future of the whole of the UK and today also provides certainty to Londoners. 

"Businesses will know that we are building the infrastructure they need to access global markets. Ordinary, working people will know that my Government backs jobs and growth.

"This decision demonstrates that as we leave the EU we can make a success of Brexit and Britain can be that open, global, successful country we all want it to be."

The Heathrow runway decision is big news for air travel across the UK. The bosses of other airports are commenting thick and fast.

House of Commons
Parliament

Chris Grayling insists that MPs will be able to decide on Heathrow expansion.

If the draft policy document "does not gain the backing of this House, it will not happen", he tells MPs.

Image source, Getty Images

Ken O’Toole, the chief executive of Manchester Airportis well aware that the Heathrow decision has implications for all of the UK's airports.

"Now that a decision has been taken on the location of a new runway, there is an opportunity to develop a new aviation policy that seeks to maximise the contribution all airports can make to improving our global connectivity. We welcome the Government's commitment to doing just that.

"Airports up and down the country, including Manchester, have a critical role in the future prosperity of both the regions they serve and the country as a whole. For example, Manchester’s two existing full-length runways have the ability to handle up to 55m passengers per year – more than double current numbers.

"We must learn the lessons from the slow Airports Commission process, which has been incredibly protracted, and ensure the new aviation policy looks at what is best for the UK as a whole and enables all airports to compete successfully on the global stage."

Unsurprisingly, concerns have been raised about the environmental impact a third runway will have. Here are a few comments:

Friends of the Earth:  Head of campaigns Andrew Pendleton, who lives under the flightpath in west London, said: “Expanding Heathrow would be a hugely damaging blow for local people, and makes a complete mockery of government commitments to tackle climate change.

Greenpeace: Greenpeace UK executive director John Sauven said: “A third runway at Heathrow would be a waste of time, money and lives. It would make Londoners’ air more dangerous to breathe, contributing to an air pollution crisis that already kills thousands.

Green Party: Heathrow expansion a 'wrecking ball' through climate commitments.

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, PA

Two London MPs, Labour's Andy Slaughter and Conservative Paul Scully, call on the government to keep the option of expanding Gatwick Airport open.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling tells them that he is following the recommendations of the Airports Commission, which recommended expansion by 2030 in the form of a new runway at Heathrow.

The commission did not rule out further expansion by 2050, he says, but only if environmental obligations can be met.

Image source, PA

Gatwick Airport has issued a rather terse response to the government's decision on airport capacity.

"Gatwick notes the government's announcement that it favours expansion at Heathrow," the statement said.

Followed by this from the boss:

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson says it's "very likely" the third runway at Heathrow will be stopped.

Mr Johnson and other opponents to the Heathrow expansion have been allowed by Theresa May to vote against the plans.

He tells the BBC he's grateful to the Prime Minister for the freedom to make his points.

The problems of expanding Heathrow include that it's difficult to finance, will bring "immense disruption", involve building over the M25, and lead to a future in which London is "flown over by 250,000 more flights a year", he says.  

"We've been here before and I fear we are going to see an inevitable fight in the courts," he adds.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who opposes a third runway at Heathrow, tells the BBC:

MP for Brighton Pavilion and co-leader of the Green Party, Caroline Lucas, slams the decision to add a third runway at Heathrow airport  

House of Commons
Parliament

Conservative MP Zac Goldsmith says the decision to expand Heathrow "is not only wrong, it's doomed".

The MP for Richmond Park in south west London says one million people "will directly suffer because of the environmental harm this project unavoidably produces".

He predicts that the project will be subject to so much legal delay that it will not be delivered and will become a "millstone" around the government's neck.

Mr Goldsmith, who is set to resign and force a by-election in his constituency in protest, adds that the Heathrow decision will be a "constant source of anger and betrayal".

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling tells Mr Goldsmith he respects "the sincerity of the views that he holds" but adds: "I'm doing what I believe is right."

John Holland-Kaye, chief executive of Heathrow, tells the BBC he's "100% confident" the third runway will be built. 

The Prime Minister backs it, the sub-committee of ministers that took today's decision says it will be built, and the Airports Commission recommended it, he says.

With that in mind, Heathrow plans to set up the first new contract in the next few weeks.

The runway opening should then take place in 2025, with additional flights on the existing runways from 2021, he adds.

Image source, Getty Images

The Conservative MP for Twickenham Tania Mathias told The World At One that the Heathrow expansion "is not deliverable".

She says that over the coming months "the true costs will come out". 

Ms Mathias says the official Airport Commission was "weak on the environmental aspects".

"Their data was not good enough," she says.

Image source, AFP/Getty Images

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has said a third runway at Heathrow is "undeliverable", according to Press Association. 

It quotes him as also saying: "I think it very likely it will be stopped."

The former London mayor confirmed to the BBC earlier that he would continue to oppose his colleague's decision to approve the airport's expansion.