Space station or airport? Futuristic plans for 'Boris Island' unveiled

Gensler

Futuristic-style plans for what could be London's new airport have been unveiled - and they're certainly out of this world.

A global architecture firm has released it vision for the 'Boris Island' airport in the Thames Estuary.

According to the Daily Mail, the London Britannia Airport, designed by Gensler, would include four floating runways tethered to the sea bed.

New runways could be floated in as required, allowing for future expansion, accommodating up to six landing strips.

Passenger terminals would be located on the land, located to the north and south of the estuary, with a third central London terminal proposed between Canary Wharf and the Olympic Park; all would be connected to London by a high-speed rail link.

London Mayor Boris has been famously in favour of a Thames island airport, now dubbed "Boris Island".

Gensler submitted the plans in a bid to be considered as the designers for any future airport that may be built.

Government ministers have been under pressure to approve a third runway at Heathrow, but have said a decision will not be taken before the next general election.

Ian Mulcahey, Gensler project director, told the Daily Mail: "The idea of floating runways is fairly basic stuff - we're just proposing it on a scale, perhaps, that has never been done before.

"We're locked in a political debate about whether to build a little runway extension [at Heathrow] or whether we build a proper airport.

"This could be an airport for the next 100 years."

The Gensler scheme would see Heathrow Airport close and turned into a new eco-city with housing for around 300,000 people.

What do you think? Extend Heathrow or build a brand new one? Leave your thoughts below.