Gatwick Airport’s £2.2 billion second runway plan has been given the go-ahead by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander.
The West Sussex airport will move its emergency runway 12 metres north, enabling it to be used for about 100,000 more flights a year.
Ms Alexander backed the scheme as a “no-brainer” for economic growth, a Government source said, suggesting flights could take off from the new full runway before 2029.
Gatwick says its plans will create £1 billion per year in economic benefits, and generate an additional 14,000 jobs.
The privately-financed plans would allow the runway to be used for departures by narrow-bodied planes such as Airbus A320s and Boeing 737s. It also involves remodelling and replacing existing taxiways – which connect runways to terminals, hangars and other facilities – along with extending both terminals, and installing new aircraft gates.
Gatwick is the second busiest airport in the UK and the busiest single runway airport in Europe. Last year saw more than 40 million passengers pass through the airport.
Local campaigners opposed to the airport’s expansion have expressed concerns over the impact on surface transport, noise, housing provision and wastewater treatment.
More to follow…
