A Richmond campaign group may finally get its voice heard, after it submitted alternative plans to the Airports Commission on how to deal with increased passenger numbers at Heathrow.

Richmond Heathrow Campaign (RHC) submitted the proposals to the Department for Transport and said it was the only group not focusing on runways.

Under RHC’s proposals, Heathrow could cater for the forecasted 35m extra passengers by 2050 by making better use of plane capacity, using bigger aircrafts and changing flight transfer schedules according to need.

Chairman of RHC Peter Willan said: “We have put forward a solution that does not involve an additional runway.

“What we are finding is that there is a vacuum and our idea is really filling it because in the past people haven’t provided another solution and we are filling that gap and finding people are interested in what we have to say. Fundamental research has gone into this.”

He said the airport should focus on transfers rather than adding runways and rearrange transfer flights according to need.

RHC’s solution, according to Mr Willan, is low cost, low risk and can be implemented straight away.

The Airports Commission, chaired by Sir Howard Davies, will produce a report in 2015 with recommendations to the government on how to deal with airport capacity in the long term.

Zac Goldsmith, MP for Richmond Park and North Kingston, who has long made his opposition to expansion at Heathrow clear, said he was confident the commission would make the right decision.

He said: “I have faith in Sir Howard Davies and I am sure he is asking the right questions.”