Gatwick submits formal application to dramatically hike capacity
Will PayneGatwick has submitted a long-awaited application to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) to bring the airport’s existing northern standby runway into routine use alongside its main runway.
If approved, Gatwick said the additional runway will create around 14,000 new jobs and inject £1 billion into the region’s economy every year.
The plans, revealed almost two years ago, aims to leverage the airport’s existing infrastructure to unlock new capacity and improve airport resilience, in line with government policy.
If approved, it could increase traffic at the airport from a 46.6 million annual passenger peak in 2019 to around 75 million, a potential increase of in excess of 60%.
It comes after the airport earlier this year put £10 million behind redeveloping its north terminal, which is scheduled for completion in 2024.
Gatwick chief executive Stewart Wingate said: "The northern runway plan will help secure the long-term future of the airport and economic prosperity for thousands of families, businesses, and future generations across the region.
"If approved, our plan will also improve airport resilience, meet future passenger demand, and increase competition in the London airport market."
According to a recent YouGov poll of 3,000 people, eight out of ten (78%) respondents said they supported Gatwick’s plans, with two out of ten (22%) opposing.
More than two thirds (70%) of residents said they think the airport’s plans are important for the region’s economy, while 73% say they are important for job creation.
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