Gatwick Airport has been given the green light to bring its second runway into routine use, in a £2.2 billion expansion expected to deliver a major increase in flights and jobs.
The government’s decision means the northern runway, currently only used in emergencies, will be upgraded to handle regular commercial flights. Once complete, the project is expected to allow up to 100,000 additional flights each year from the UK’s second busiest airport.
Supporters argue the move will provide a significant economic boost, while critics warn it comes at a heavy environmental cost.
The Green Party has condemned the decision, describing it as a “disaster” for the fight against climate change. Campaigners say expanding aviation capacity undermines efforts to cut carbon emissions, and risks locking the UK into higher levels of air travel at a time when many experts say flying needs to be reduced.
Gatwick, however, insists the project will deliver long-term benefits. Stewart Wingate, VINCI Airports Managing Director for the UK, welcomed the government’s ruling after what he described as a “lengthy and rigorous” planning process.
“This is another important gateway in the planning process for this £2.2bn investment, which is fully funded by our shareholders and will unlock significant growth, tourism and trade benefits for London Gatwick and the UK and create thousands of jobs,” he said.
He added that Gatwick would now “carefully examine the details” of the planning consent before setting out the next steps, and stressed that conditions attached to the project must not impose “unnecessary constraints” that could make the investment uneconomic.
The expansion has been under consideration for several years, with Gatwick arguing that making full use of its northern runway will improve resilience and choice for passengers, reduce pressure on Heathrow, and strengthen the UK’s international connectivity.
Construction work is expected to begin once final details are agreed, with the project forming part of a wider strategy to expand airport capacity across the southeast of England.
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