Gatwick wants to put northern runway into "routine use"

LONDON - Gatwick Airport wants to put its northern runway to full use by the end of the decade. The Government just signaled support for the project as the Secretary of State for Transport "is minded to approve" the northern runway plans and has outlined "a clear pathway to full approval" later in the year.

The northern runway at Gatwick Airport is limited to acting as a taxiway, and only handels take-offs and landings when the main runway is out of use. Gatwick wants to change this.

"Our planning application proposes repositioning the centre line of the Northern Runway 12 metres north to allow dual runway operations, aligning with international safety standards", the airport said. "Construction could start in 2025 and be completed and ready for operational use by the end of the decade."

The airport operator just received important political backing as the Government signaled support.

"We welcome the announcement that the Secretary of State for Transport is minded to approve our northern runway plans and has outlined a clear pathway to full approval later in the year", Gatwick CEO Stewart Wingate said. "It is vital that any planning conditions attached to the final approval enable us to make a decision to invest £2.2bn in this project and realise the full benefits of bringing the northern runway into routine use."