The UK gave its tentative backing to a plan to expand London’s Gatwick airport, as the Labour government insisted it can push ahead with major infrastructure projects while still meeting its environmental commitments.

The U.K. government has provided provisional approval to the creation of a second runway at Gatwick Airport outside London

Britain will decide on Thursday whether to allow Gatwick Airport to expand, a move that could add millions of extra passengers at the country's no.2 hub and help boost economic growth.