Gatwick wins approval to convert standby runway into second runway

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has given final approval for Gatwick Airport's £2.2 billion plan to convert its standby runway into a routine second runway, a move officials say could be operational by 2029 and add about 100,000 flights a year from the West Sussex airport. The privately financed scheme, signed off on Sunday evening, would allow narrowbody aircraft such as Airbus A320s and Boeing 737s to depart from the relocated runway and is forecast by Gatwick to create thousands of jobs and boost the regional economy.

Under the proposal the emergency northern runway would be shifted 12 metres north to meet aviation safety rules and remodelled so it can be used for departures. Work would also include remodelling taxiways, extending both terminals, installing new aircraft gates and upgrades to surface access. Gatwick says the project will be privately funded, will not raise charges to airlines and could unlock as much as £1 billion a year in economic activity and 14,000 jobs. Officials estimate annual passenger numbers could rise from roughly 43 to 45 million now to as many as 75 million to 80 million by the late 2030s under some forecasts.