Government Signals Conditional Approval for Gatwick’s Second Runway, Awaiting Final Details

Image Credit: Gatwick Airport

The UK government has given provisional approval to a long-debated expansion of Gatwick Airport, setting the stage for a second operational runway—provided key conditions, including noise reduction measures, are met. The decision, announced Thursday, has sparked immediate backlash from climate activists, who view it contradictory to the country’s environmental commitments.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, in a written statement, confirmed she was “minded to approve” the project, which involves shifting Gatwick’s northern standby runway slightly northward. This minor realignment would allow it to operate alongside the main runway rather than serving solely as a taxiway or backup.

However, hurdles remain. Planning inspectors initially rejected and later revised the original proposal, but it now faces a potential nine-month delay before receiving final approval. Additionally, Gatwick must meet strict criteria, including ensuring that at least 50% of passengers travel via public transport and implementing measures to curb noise pollution.

Situated 40 miles (65 kilometers) south of London, Gatwick is the UK’s second-busiest airport and the busiest globally to rely on a single-runway system. The approved expansion would shift the current emergency runway 12 meters (39 feet) northward to comply with international safety standards. Once operational, the new layout would accommodate narrow-bodied aircraft such as the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737, significantly boosting flight capacity.

Privately funded, the £2.2 billion ($2.8 billion) project could be completed by the decade's end—if construction starts later this year. When fully operational, the expansion is expected to support an additional 100,000 flights annually, pushing Gatwick’s total capacity beyond 380,000 flights annually.

Beyond its operational impact, the project is projected to generate £1 billion ($1.26 billion) in annual economic benefits and create 14,000 new jobs. These figures align with the Labour government’s broader strategy to stimulate economic growth, with airport expansion forming a core component of its long-term infrastructure plan.

Yet, this stance has drawn sharp criticism from climate activists, especially in light of the government’s recent full-throated endorsement of Heathrow’s third runway project. Opponents argue that expanding air travel undermines the UK’s climate commitments, fueling concerns over emissions and environmental degradation.

Gatwick, majority-owned by France’s VINCI Airports, has until April 24 to respond formally to the new proposals. While a final decision was initially expected soon after, the deadline has now been extended to October 27, giving stakeholders more time to weigh in on the controversial expansion.

Gatwick CEO Stewart Wingate welcomed Thursday’s announcement, saying that the airport will “engage fully” in the extended process for a final decision.

“By increasing resilience and capacity, we can support the U.K.’s position as a leader in global connectivity and deliver substantial trade and economic growth in (southeast England) and more broadly,” he said.

As debates intensify, the Gatwick expansion stands at the crossroads of economic ambition and environmental responsibility—leaving the outcome hanging in the balance.

“Such a decision would be one that smacks of desperation, completely ignoring the solid evidence that increasing air travel won’t drive economic growth,” said Greenpeace U.K.’s policy director, Doug Parr. “The only thing it’s set to boost is air pollution, noise, and climate emissions.”