Building a controversial third runway at Heathrow airport is one of the options shortlisted by the Airport Commission in its first report.
The findings of an independent inquiry led by the former head of the Financial Services Authority has also recommended a second runway for Gatwick airport.
Sir Howard has also said he would consider the idea of building a new airport in the Thames Estuary, plans for which have been dubbed "Boris Island", although he did not include it on the shortlist of options.
To cope with the increasing number of passengers flying into the UK, one of the new runways must be operational by 2030, according to the commission. The second should be up and running by 2050.
But it stopped short of proposing a new runway for Stansted or Birmingham airports, as had been suggested.
If the UK does not expand its airports then it will cost the economy £45bn over 60 years, the report warned.
Sir Howard said: "The UK enjoys excellent connectivity today. The capacity challenge is not yet critical but it will become so if no action is taken soon and our analysis clearly supports the provision of one net additional runway by 2030.
"In the meantime we encourage the government to act on our recommendations to make the best of our existing capacity."
Mr Johnson has been bitterly opposed to building a third runway at the UK's largest airport calling the idea of expansion scandalous".
Last week Mr Johnson threatened to call for a judicial review if plans for a four-runway airport on the Isle of Grain were not included in the commission's report.
The commission said it had not shortlisted the Thames Estuary plan "because there are too many uncertainties and challenges surrounding them at this stage".
However, it did suggest undertaking a further study of the options for the new airport in the early part of next year with a view to seeing whether it was a "credible proposal" to be included on the final options for expansion in the summer.
Mr Johnson said today: "It is clear that Gatwick is not being considered as a hub airport, meaning a second runway there would only provide temporary relief to Heathrow.
"And that means Sir Howard has effectively told the Government it has two choices - proceed with the creation of a monstrous Heathrow... or proceed with the construction of a new hub in the inner estuary that can be built for the same cost as a four-runway Heathrow, and would bring new jobs, homes, and long-term competitiveness.
"A new airport in the inner estuary is the only credible hub option left, and the only one that would uphold this country's claim to be the natural financial, commercial and economic capital of Europe. By keeping it on the table, Davies is saying you have a choice - between a damaging U- turn or a radical new vision for expansion."
Heathrow - one of the world's busiest airports - is currently operating at 98% of its capacity with 70m passengers using it in 2012.
If it is not allowed to expand, those in favour of a third runway claim that travellers to Europe will opt to fly into airports in France or Germany instead, at a cost to the UK economy.
Heathrow representatives told the commission that a third runway could be operating by 2029 allowing 260,000 more flights a year.
The last Labour government has supported building a new runway but it was ruled out by the coaltion when it came to power in May 2010.
But the plans have met with fierce resistance from people living in the flightpath and environmentalists.
Tory MP Zac Goldsmith said last week that any decision by the Prime Minister to back Heathrow expansion would represent an "off-the-scale betrayal" and that David Cameron would "never be forgiven in west London".
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