It has called for a new airport in the north of England to be built on the former RAF camp, near Doncaster.

Results from a planning inquiry into using the site as a regional airport have yet to be published.

The Finningley option was part of the TUC's response to the government's consultation paper on aviation expansion published in July.

High demand

The TUC has also called for five new runways at existing airports.

And it warned that air fares would increase if the aviation industry was not allowed to expand.

John Monks, TUC general secretary, said: "Doing nothing is not an option. The demand for air travel continues to spiral.

"If the UK is unable to increase its capacity, airlines will simply take their business elsewhere.

"We cannot sit back and let the European airport hubs scoop up all our flights, and the money and jobs that will follow all the extra passengers."