Government Supports Construction of Second Runway
The UK government has shown support for Gatwick Airport’s plan to add a second runway, but this is contingent on the implementation of measures to manage noise. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander indicated her intention to approve the expansion. However, some local MPs, councils, and residents are highly opposed to this development.
Gatwick aims to make its northern runway, which is currently only used for taxiing or as a backup, fully operational by the end of the decade. Despite the transport secretary’s favorable stance, the airport still needs to secure planning permission before moving forward with the expansion.
If Gatwick gets the green light, construction could begin almost immediately, with the £2.2 billion project funded by private investors. Alexander stated she is open to feedback from all parties involved before making a final decision, which is expected in October. Gatwick has until April 24 to incorporate noise reduction strategies and requirements for greater public transport use in its plans.
The government is eager to stimulate economic growth, which may explain the support for Gatwick’s expansion, especially since Chancellor Rachel Reeves recently backed a third runway at Heathrow Airport. As Europe’s busiest single-runway airport, Gatwick serves over 40 million passengers annually.
In her address to industry leaders, Alexander emphasized the importance of the aviation sector for economic progress and dismissed concerns about being labeled as anti-aviation. The arguments for expanding Gatwick and Heathrow vary; Gatwick focuses more on passenger flights, while Heathrow deals with more freight related to international trade.
Currently, Gatwick’s management states that they can handle 55 take-offs and landings in an hour, which means the airport is at full capacity. Utilizing both runways could potentially lead to an increase of 50,000 flights per year by the late 2030s, primarily using the northern runway for departures only.
However, many climate activists are strongly against such an expansion. Douglas Parr from Greenpeace UK argued that it would exacerbate air pollution and climate emissions without generating significant economic growth. Similarly, Alex Chapman from the New Economics Foundation pointed out that the expansion would not create new jobs but simply shift them from other areas.
While the union Unite supports the addition of a second runway at Gatwick, they insist it should come with assurances of well-paid, unionized jobs and proper worker facilities.
Development Director Bronwen Jones believes that a second runway would benefit everyone. She stated it would allow for more flight slots, provide new destinations, and improve choices for passengers.
However, community concerns persist, especially regarding noise, road traffic, and air quality. Sally Pavey, chair of Communities Against Gatwick Noise Emissions (CAGNE), expressed her fears about increasing noise pollution and the effects on climate change and local residents. CAGNE is prepared to take legal action if the expansion proceeds.
In parallel, the UK’s independent climate advisory board, the UK Climate Change Committee, recently recommended reducing aviation sector emissions by 17% from 2003 levels to meet climate targets. They suggested that using sustainable aviation fuel and capturing emissions could help, though experts warn about the challenges in sourcing the necessary materials. The committee noted that the best way to mitigate aviation’s climate impact would be to slow down the demand for air travel, which is projected to grow significantly in the coming years.
