Plans for new expansion at London’s Heathrow airport have been brought into the next phase as consultation starts for a third runway and possible sixth terminal at the busy hub.

People travelling frequently to destinations like Spain will be enthused by news of plans to ease the airport’s current congestion, with delays at the airport often dissuading otherwise eager travellers from taking more trips.

Ministers indicated that the suggested new runway and accompanying terminal would not only ease current problems, but would allow Heathrow to handle as many 700,000 flights a year – around 50 per cent more than at present.

Transport secretary Ruth Kelly said: "For too long it has operated at nearly full capacity, with relatively minor problems causing severe delays to passengers."

Airlines such as Iberia run frequent flights between Heathrow and popular Spanish destinations like Valencia – with the planned expansion set to boost the potential for offering new routes from the London hub.

Leading Spanish carrier Iberia has long been in the throes of a takeover deal, with news emerging this week of a bid from a Spanish private equity group threatening to upstage current favourite for the deal, British Airways.