A cagey thumbs-up has been given by Lydd Airport to the decision to build a third runway at Heathrow.

Lydd Managing Director Cliff Spink described it as “an incredibly difficult decision” but supported ministers for recognising the importance of the UK’s aviation industry, especially in the face of the global economic recession.

But as Lydd Airport still faces opposition to its proposed expansion plans, Mr Spink called for the government to continue its support of the modest expansion of regional airports such as Lydd saying “there are alternatives to the ‘eggs in one basket’ approach”.

Mr Spink said developing airports like Lydd will ease congestion as air travellers centre on Heathrow.

“By spreading the load we would not only reduce the enormous road travel bill by passengers but by airport staff as well” he said.

He added Lydd’s expansion would be tailored to help deal with shorter flights so Heathrow could provide a service for long haul passengers.

“The majority of passengers using Heathrow are transferring from long haul flights to inter-European destinations, and in many ways Heathrow competes with the major airports of Europe like Schiphol, Frankfurt and Charles De Gaulle. Lydd is a small regional airport servicing the needs of local and European passengers”

So far Lydd airport has submitted two planning applications to Shepway District Council. One is for a new terminal building, capable of handling up to 500,000 passengers a year. The other is for a 294-metre runway extension together with an additional 150-metre starter extension. A decision on the applications is expected this spring.