Lord Norman Foster – whose architecture practice was behind designs for the ‘Boris Island’ airport discounted by the Airports Commission yesterday – has become the latest high-profile figure to vent frustration over the decision.

The panel set up to decide on the best way to increase air travel capacity around London concluded that the Foster + Partners-designed proposal for a new four-runway airport in the Thames Estuary had "substantial disadvantages that collectively outweigh its potential benefits."

The Tourism Alliance appeared to be the voice of reason in the aftermath, with policy director Kurt Janson noting it was important to “Respect the process and not turn the Commission’s finding into a political football, as this will simply delay the development of additional capacity."

For his part, mayor of London Boris Johnson – whose vehement support of the project prompted the ‘Boris Island’ moniker – was less phlegmatic. He blasted the Airport Commission’s “myopic” decision and said its report would be consigned to the “long list of vertically filed reports on aviation expansion that are gathering dust on a shelf in Whitehall.”

Now Lord Foster – one of the world’s most famous architects and a key figure behind the airport project – has weighed in, joining Johnson in questioning the relevance of the Airport Commission.

“I predict that Londoners will be scathing in their condemnation of today’s announcement, when confronted with the inevitability of the blighting influence of Heathrow - the risks, noise and environmental impact of overflying London - and its inability to cope with predicted growth,” he said.

“They will ask why there was not even the courage to further explore – to study – to research - a strategic long term alternative to the instant gratification of a sadly predictable compromise. The outcome of this process calls into question the validity of the Commission.”

The panel’s decision on the best way to increase aviation capacity – not due until after next year’s general election – is now a clear split between increasing runway capacity at Heathrow or expanding Gatwick airport.