Gatwick receives Government nod for runway expansion

LONDON - Gatwick Airport wants to put its northern runway to full use by the end of the decade. The Government signaled support for the northern runway plans and follows through: Gatwick just received official approval for its expansion plans.

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 back in March when the Government signaled it was "minded to approve" the plans.

Sunday, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander formalized Government approval for the privately financed £2.2 billion infrastructure project.

Gatwick processes about 280,000 flights anually. By the late 2030s Britains second largest airport could handle up to 389.000 flights per year and up to 80 million passengers. Gatwick up from 43.2 million passengers in 2024.

The approval letter outlines a gradual expansion by 40,000 flights per year before the northern runway opens and an additional 70,000 flights per year upon full operation.