Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has approved plans for a £2.2 billion privately financed second runway at London Gatwick Airport, in a move the government says will drive growth and job creation.
The scheme will bring the airport’s Northern Runway into regular use, shifting it 12 metres and upgrading terminal facilities. Gatwick currently handles around 280,000 flights annually, but the expansion would increase capacity to 389,000 flights by the late 2030s and potentially double passenger numbers to 80 million a year.
A government source described the decision as a “no-brainer for growth,” hinting that aircraft could be using the new runway before the next general election.
Gatwick, already Europe’s busiest single-runway airport, argues that expansion will boost the local economy and generate thousands of jobs. The additional runway is set to handle mainly short-haul flights, freeing up the main runway for more long-haul services.
However, campaigners and local residents have long opposed the plan, citing concerns over noise, traffic congestion, air pollution and climate change.
To secure approval, Gatwick agreed to stricter noise limits, enhanced home insulation schemes, and a pledge that 54% of passengers will use public transport before the runway opens. If that target is not met, road improvements worth £350m would have to be completed before expansion goes ahead.
The decision follows similar approvals for Luton Airport’s expansion earlier this year, with ministers also reiterating support for a third runway at Heathrow, although that project remains politically and financially contentious.
Unite the Union welcomed the decision but warned that it must come with guarantees of “well-paid, unionised jobs and proper facilities for workers.”
Opposition has been strong among climate campaigners. Zack Polanski, the Green Party’s new leader, called the move a “disaster for the climate crisis.” Environmental groups including Greenpeace and Stay Grounded argue that expansion will drive up emissions, undermine climate commitments and harm local communities.
Sally Pavey, chair of Communities Against Gatwick Noise Emissions (CAGNE), warned of “uncontrollable noise, worsening air quality, and increased traffic,” adding that her group is prepared to launch a judicial review.
The Gatwick expansion underlines the government’s determination to use infrastructure as a lever for economic growth. Yet, as climate pressures intensify and campaign groups threaten legal action, the runway faces a turbulent path from approval to completion.