by political editor Paul Francis

Controversial plans to build an airport in the Thames Estuary have not been ruled out completely by the government, according to the new transport secretary.

Justine Greening, who has replaced Philip Hammond in a government reshuffle, said the coalition was willing to examine options to increase capacity in the region.

"the mayor is obviously a keen campaigner for the scheme and it will be something we look at..." - department for transport spokesman

Asked if she ruled out new capacity in the south east altogether, she told a conference of airport operators: "No. There are a number of aiports in the south east and we have people like the Mayor [of London, Boris Johnson] who have proposals for new airports."

She left open the possibility that the airport plan – dubbed Boris Island – could still be part of the agenda.

"There are a number of different proposals that we have to look at. I have no doubt that he will want to raise it with me."

Miss Greening's comments are likely to dismay campaigners who are fighting to resist the Boris Island scheme.

A Department for Transport spokesman said: "The Mayor is obviously a keen campaigner for the scheme and it will be something we look at."

During a recent debate on the aiport plan, organised by the Federation of Small Business in Kent, Daniel Moylan, deputy chairman of Transport for London, said there was an overwhelming business case for a replacement hub airport for Heathrow.

"The Dutch, French, Germans and Spanish are laughing all the way to the bank as they take away our airport business," he said.