BAA Chief Executive Colin Matthews has called the expansion of Heathrow Airport vital for the UK's economy.
Matthews said that increasing passenger capacity at the airport was fundamental to making Britain competitive.
Matthews told the BBC that enlarging Heathrow will allow the airport to maintain its status as Britain's direct link to the rest of the world.
"We do need the new capacity at Heathrow today in order to maintain its role, the way London and the country connects to the rest of the world. If we don't have transfer traffic, we can't fulfil that role," he said.
Matthews also said improving customer service at Heathrow was important.
"But some of these customer service issues are directly related to capacity. We have our runways (operating) at something like 99% of their capacity, which means that the slightest external shock knocks off the schedule for the whole day."
A government decision on whether to go ahead with a third runway is expected later this year.
By staff writer
