Passengers driving to catch flights at Heathrow face a £15 pollution surcharge.

The airport is to introduce the measure in 2022 to improve air quality and cut congestion.

Vehicles that do not meet strict emissions standards now in place in London will be charged between £10 and £15.

Details will be confirmed when Heathrow submits its final bid to obtain planning permission for expansion following a public consultation that starts on June 18.

Passengers driving to Heathrow in old cars will face a £10-15 pollution surcharge in 2022 as part of plans for the world's first low emission zone near an airport. (Pictured) Planes at the airport's terminal three

The ultra-low emission zone will be replaced by a vehicle access charge for all passenger cars, taxis and mini-cabs when a third runway opens.

‘Heathrow expansion is not a choice between the economy and the environment – we must deliver for both,’ said chief executive John Holland-Kaye.

‘Today’s announcement shows that we will take the tough decisions to ensure that the airport grows responsibly.’

Val Shawcross, chairman of the Heathrow Transport Area Forum, said: ‘This is a significant step change in Heathrow’s effort to clean up local ground level air pollution by shifting people into the cleanest modes of transport.’