The government has delayed a final decision on whether to open a second runway at Gatwick Airport, but indicated that it is likely to confirm the expansion.
Transport minister Heidi Alexander issued a written statement to the House of Commons this morning to confirm that she has issued a ‘minded to approve’ letter for the second runway.
Today (27 February) was deadline day for a decision of some sort, given the Examining Authority’s report on the Gatwick Airport Development Consent Order was issued three months ago on 27 November.
The government has opted to give itself more time to “seek views from all parties” on the order, prior to a final decision now set for 27 October 2025 at the latest – a nine-month extension.
Back in Gatwick’s court
According to the FT, Gatwick has been given until 24 April to provide an updated plan for the extension if requested changes are made to the proposals.
The government has reportedly asked for “stronger targets for public transport access to the airport” as well as a proposal on how the airport would “implement a noise mitigation scheme”.
Contested
The plans – already valued at £2.2bn – have attracted some criticism from local residents and MPs, as well as environmentalists. Arguments against the expansion concern noise and air pollution, and also purported incompatibility with the UK’s net zero targets.
Under the development proposal, Gatwick would see its emergency runway moved 12 metres to the north, enabling it to be used for departures of Airbus A320s and Boeing 737s, enabling an additional 100,000 flights a year, according to the Independent.
‘Huge benefits for businesses’
A government source told the Guardian that today’s decision “sets out a path” to confirming the Gatwick expansion. It said:
“Expansion will bring huge benefits for business and represents a victory for holidaymakers. We want to deliver this opportunity in line with our legal, environmental and climate obligations.”
Marco Forgione, the director general of the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade, is among those in the business community broadly in favour of expanding the UK’s airport capacity, saying it will boost both goods and services exports.
In response to rumours of another airport expansion in January – the much-debated third runway at Heathrow – Forgione said:
“Airports are essential to driving UK trade growth, not only in terms of goods exports but also – as our report with Flint Global shows – in supporting UK services exports, which form around 80% of the UK economy.
“We would also urge the government to invest in growing the UK’s wider infrastructure system, including road, rail and ports, to keep up with the huge investment taking place around the world".
