Air travel is set to increase sharply

The airline's intervention comes a week after airport operator BAA named the Heathrow option as one of its favourites for coping with a predicted rise in air travel.

A third runway would service European flights, said BA, the airport's biggest customer.

Its second choice would be an extra runway at Gatwick Airport, also in the south-east of England.

But BA says Heathrow already has good transport links and in some cases the government may have overestimated the amount of noise and pollution a new runway would create.

Last week BAA said the government should choose from a shortlist of its favoured options - including one new runway each at Heathrow and Gatwick, and one or two at Stansted.

The number of air passengers is expected to rise from 117 million a year now, to 300 million by 2030.

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BA claims that the two extra runways could generate �65bn of economic benefits.

Simon Montague, the BBC's transport correspondent, said the "airline's preferences also reflect its own interests".

"BA flies from both Heathrow and Gatwick airports, but it doesn't operate out of Stansted.

"BA has said extra runways at Stansted or a new airport at Cliffe in Kent would cost more and create less economic advantage."

Residents groups have criticised BA's call for the further expansion of Heathrow and Gatwick as they say it contrasts with the airline's annual environmental reports.

John Stewart, chairman of Heathrow-based pressure group Hacan (Heathrow Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise) ClearSkies, said: "BA is exhibiting all the desperation of a cornered animal.

"Desperate for survival, they are determined to get their way regardless of the cost to local communities or the national economy."

Transport Minister Alistair Darling is due to outline his final decisions in a White Paper towards the end of the year.