Action on the Davies Commission report on airport expansion is at risk of being further delayed after ministers indicated there would no immediate response to the report.
The government will produce an official response to the findings near Christmas despite the fact that the report is due for release at the end of June.
A full response from the government was expected during the summer.
Industry fears of a delay will be stoked by Zac Goldsmith officially announcing his intention to run for mayor of London. Goldsmith has stated he will stand down as an MP if a third runway at Heathrow goes ahead.
Many business people believe Heathrow is the natural location for expansion because it is already a transport hub.
