UK cabinet backs Heathrow expansion

• British Transport Minister Chris Grayling said the Heathrow expansion scheme "is crucial to our national interest."
• Grayling said the U.K. cabinet backed the expansion of the airport, paving the way for lawmakers to vote on a new runway.

An airliner comes in to land at Heathrow Airport in London, Aug. 11, 2014.

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Britain's transport minister said on Tuesday that senior government ministers have backed the expansion of Heathrow Airport, paving the way for lawmakers to vote on the new runway within the next 21 days.

"The scheme is crucial to our national interest," minister Chris Grayling said in parliament.