UK Approves Plans for New Runway at Gatwick Airport

Britain’s Transport Department on Sunday approved a £2.2-billion ($2.96-billion) plan for a new runway at London’s Gatwick Airport, following months after Heathrow Airport unveiled plans for a third runway, according to a government document.

Airport expansions of this scale are rare in Europe, where governments are divided between reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting the aviation sector, which has seen growing passenger demand.

Gatwick Airport, located south of London, is:

• The UK’s second-busiest international airport, after Heathrow
• Europe’s busiest single-runway hub, handling over 43 million passengers in 2024

The privately funded project will involve moving the airport’s emergency runway 12 metres north to make it fully operational, according to the Department of Transport.

This expansion will allow the runway to accommodate around 100,000 additional flights per year. Last year, the airport handled approximately 261,000 flights.

UK media reports indicate that the Transport Department views the project as a “no-brainer for growth”, noting that capacity constraints are holding back business, trade and tourism.

Flights from the new runway could begin by 2029, media sources reported.

Stewart Wingate, UK Managing Director of VINCI Airports, which owns Gatwick, welcomed the government’s approval: “After a lengthy and rigorous planning process, we welcome the government’s approval of plans to bring our Northern Runway into routine use, ahead of the expected deadline.”

Wingate added that the plan will create thousands of jobs and unlock significant growth, tourism, and trade benefits for Gatwick and the UK.

Heathrow’s £21-billion third runway plan was approved by Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government in January, following years of legal disputes.

The government’s support aims to accelerate large infrastructure projects to boost Britain’s stuttering economy.

Both Gatwick and Heathrow expansion plans have faced criticism from environmental groups and local residents, who are concerned about:

• Increased air and noise pollution
• Environmental impact in surrounding areas

Key Facts Table