New more efficient aircraft will help meet carbon and noise pollution limits, even if a new runway is built at Heathrow, according to the boss of an aviation industry group.

Andy Jefferson, director of Sustainable Aviation, told MPs on the environmental audit committee that the aviation industry could “get it right” when it came to environmental concerns.

He added that the industry could halve its emissions by 2050 through a mixture of carbon trading and new aircraft technology, even if Heathrow is given the green light for a third runway.

“We are starting to see the A380 and Boeings which are 20% more efficient,” said Jefferson. “The next technological revolution is expected between 2030 and 2040. This is realistic and achievable”

But Jefferson admitted that reducing carbon emissions could potentially result in “slightly more” noise from aircraft.

“We accept the industry must grow within carbon limits but there is a trade-off between noise and carbon - it’s the way planes are built,” added Jefferson. “The challenge is to be low noise, low carbon and low emissions.”

He also said the UK aviation industry could use more biofuel with government support and incentives.

The environmental audit committee is currently holding an inquiry on aviation carbon emissions, air quality and noise following the Airports Commission’s decision to recommend that a third runway should be built at Heathrow.

The committee is looking at whether the commission’s recommendations are “realistic and achievable” and if there are “realistic and achievable alternatives” to its proposals.

The Committee on Climate Change has said that aviation emissions of carbon dioxide should not exceed 2005 levels by 2050.

The government has promised that it will make a decision on whether to support a third runway by the end of this year.