British MPs overwhelmingly approved long-awaited plans to build a third runway at London Heathrow, Europe's busiest airport, after decades of acrimonious debate over its potential impact.

Lawmakers, by a wide margin of 296 votes, backed expansion proposals agreed earlier this month by Prime Minister Theresa May's government, overcoming vehement opposition from MPs with constituencies nearby where residents fear increased pollution and noise. The government argue that the $18.5 billion plan will provide a major boost to Britain's post-Brexit economy and could create up to 1,14,000 local jobs by 2030.