Gatwick wins approval for second runway amid strict surface access targets

The Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander has formally granted development consent for Gatwick Airport’s Northern Runway project, paving the way for a £2.2bn expansion that will allow the currently unused backup strip to be used in routine operations.

The scheme involves realigning the existing standby runway 12 metres north to meet international safety separation standards, enabling it to operate in tandem with the main runway. Gatwick says the new runway should be operational by 2030.

The project will be privately financed and create hundreds of jobs and provide a boost to the local economy. Flights are expected to increase from around 280,000 per year to 390,000 within 15 years. This could see passenger numbers hit 80m, up from 43m in 2024.

London Gatwick is Europe’s busiest single-runway airport and its potential to grow is limited by runway availability. Being able to use the additional runway for short-haul flights will free up capacity on the longer, main runway for larger aircraft.

As well as moving the northern runway, additional taxiways will be created to aid flow around the airport and replace the ones lost by the creation of new runway.

The green light comes with binding conditions aimed at limiting environmental and community impacts — particularly around surface access and noise mitigation. On surface access, Gatwick must significantly boost its public transport share to 54% from current levels of 44%.