By Guy Taylor
Gatwick Airport’s boss has hailed competition between airports as a benefit to consumers, as the airport submits an application for a £2.2bn second runway that would see double passenger traffic to 75m.
The west Sussex hub announced this afternoon that it had presented proposals to the government’s planning inspectorate, which aim to bring its emergency runway into routine use.
Speaking to City A.M. ahead of the news, Wingate said that the airport relished the chance to compete with its London rivals, namely Heathrow, and bring in new long-haul and short-haul carriers.
“We fundamentally believe if we can get that choice and that competition, ultimately, the personal benefit is to the consumer,” he said.
The £2.2bn project would see the northern runway’s centre-line move 12 metres to the north, allowing carriers to take off while others land on the existing stretch.
The west Sussex hub estimates it will create 14,000 new jobs and pump £1bn into the region’s economy.
Under the proposals, construction would begin in 2025, with the runway coming into use at the end of the decade.
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, by providing vital new international
connections to support ‘Global Britain’.”
The airport boss told reporters this afternoon that the expansion would bring passenger traffic to 75m at the airport by late 2030m with 386,000 flights per year.
Long-haul routes would “definitely” increase as a result, he explained, with Gatwick diversifying “the route network we serve” and the “number of airlines we have.”
Pre-pandemic, the airport operated around 67 long-haul destinations, with its larger west London rival Heathrow providing 80.
“There’s no reason why we wouldn’t be having a similar level of long-haul activity to Heathrow,” Wingate said.
As part of its submission Gatwick said it had made some “legally binding commitments,” which will help to reduce noise levels and carbon emissions.
A decision on the application is expected in 2024.
