A second runway at Gatwick has been named as one of three options to solve the country’s airport capacity crisis.

The lengthening of an existing runway at Heathrow and building of a third runway at the UK’s largest airport were the other two shortlisted.

The Whitehall-appointed Airports Commission published their findings this morning.

The commission ruled out additional runways at Stansted in Essex as well as a new airport in the Thames Estuary.

Financial Services Authority chief Sir Howard Davies led the commission.

He said: "Decisions on airport capacity are important national strategic choices and must be based upon the best evidence available.

"The commission has undertaken a fresh, comprehensive and transparent study of the issues. This report is the product of extensive consultation, independent analysis and careful consideration by the commissioners."

He added: "The UK enjoys excellent connectivity today. The capacity challenge is not yet critical but it will become so if no action is taken soon and our analysis clearly supports the provision of one net additional runway by 2030.

“In the meantime, we encourage the Government to act on our recommendations to make the best of our existing capacity.

"The commission will now focus on the challenge of appraising the three options, further assessing the case for a new airport in the Thames Estuary, and delivering a robust final recommendation to Government in summer 2015."

The commission stated that they also want to see a package of surface transport improvements, including enhancement of Gatwick Airport railway station and improvements to the rail link between London and Stansted.

Sir Howard's team also called for the establishment of an Independent Noise Authority "to provide expert and impartial advice about the noise impacts of aviation and to facilitate the delivery of future improvements to airspace operations".

This is the first of two reports that the commission will make. The second, when definite runway decisions will be taken, will come in the summer of 2015 - after the next general election.