PRE-TAX profits at an airport headed by a North-East boss have slipped slightly.

Gatwick airport, vying with Heathrow to be chosen as the site for a new runway, made a pre-tax profit of £122.4m in the six months ending in September.

The figure compared with £127.3m for the same six-month period last year.

However, Gatwick's underlining earnings in the April to September period were up 12.7 per cent to £221.6m, with turnover rising 8.6 per cent to £391.6m.

The airport will learn next summer whether the Whitehall-commissioned Airports Commission is recommending the Government approves a new runway at the site, with Gatwick in competition with two schemes at Heathrow.

Stewart Wingate, Gatwick's Bishop Auckland-born chief executive, said: "Nearly five years of independent ownership have seen growth of five million more passengers and we are attracting new routes across the board - from low-cost carriers and European business travel to long-haul providers and emerging markets.

"There is huge momentum behind the airport, both in passenger growth and the increasing recognition that Gatwick is the most credible, deliverable choice for the UK's next runway."

Plans to expand Heathrow previously received support from Newcastle International Airport.

Graeme Mason, planning and corporate affairs director, told The Northern Echo: "We know this option would deliver the greatest benefit to the North-East.

"It is crucial everyone in the region tells the Commission that they support Heathrow."