The postponement was revealed by transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin, who said a decision would probably not take place until the autumn.

"I had hoped we would be able to announce a decision on airports capacity this summer.  Clearly any announcement on airports capacity would have to be made with the House in session and, being realistic given recent events, I cannot now foresee an announcement until at least October," he said during transport oral questions in the House of Commons.

He added: "The government is fully committed to delivering the important infrastructure projects it has set out, including delivering runway capacity on the timetable set out by the Davies report."

Just this week a spokesperson for the Department for Transport insisted to TTG: “The government remains fully committed to delivering the important infrastructure projects it has set out and will also continue to take forward important legislation put before Parliament in the Queen’s Speech.”
 
However the news is unlikely to surprise many in the industry, after travel experts warned a Brexit would likely delay a decision.

The Airport Commission recommended last July that Heathrow be expanded with a third runway at an estimated cost of £18.6 billion.

The government delayed its decision in December, insisting that further work needed to be carried out on noise and pollution and compensation needed to be carried out.

One of the leading contenders for the Conservatives Boris Johnson was a vocal opponent of Heathrow while Mayor of London.

The Airport Operators Association has expressed its disappointment with the decision.

Chief executive Darren Caplan said: “The AOA is deeply disappointed that a year on from the Airports Commission’s Final Report, the Government has announced a further delay to its response to the Commission, until at least October.

“This is despite the government’s firm commitment to decide by the end of 2015, which was then delayed until this summer. This additional delay comes at a time when all are agreed that clear action is needed to demonstrate the UK is open for business and confident about its future.”

Business travel industry body, the GTMC, is also upset by the further delay.

“A go ahead on airport expansion has been much needed by the UK economy for many, many years,” said chief executive Paul Wait.

“Delay after delay is causing significant hurt for businesses. Without an increase in air capacity, UK businesses cannot grow and international businesses cannot make the necessary investments into this country.”