New details emerge as one of UK's biggest airports on brink of £2.2bn expansion

A major UK airport has revealed new plans to help rubber-stamp £2.2 billion expansion plans for a second new runway - making it one of Europe's biggest air transport hubs. London Gatwick submitted plans to convert a taxiway into the Northern Runway in 2023 and in February Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander indicated her tentative approval - subject to noise pollution and public transport concerns.

Now the south London airport has finally revealed what steps it will take to push the huge multi-billion deal over the line - in a major boost to the UK economy. Gatwick has agreed to accept stricter limits on aircraft noise, and had put forward an improved noise insulation plan for local residents.

The airport also said it had accepted a requirement to have 54 per cent of passengers using public transport prior to bringing the runway into operation, but would need support from third parties including the Department for Transport.

Stewart Wingate, CEO, London Gatwick said: "This project represents a £2.2billion investment, fully funded by our shareholders and it is essential that any planning conditions enable us to make full use of the Northern Runway.

"We are confident that our amended proposals will allow us to grow sustainably and meet passenger demand, while addressing the matters raised by the Secretary of State in her letter, including noise and environmental impacts.

"Growth is at the heart of the Government’s agenda and we are fully supportive of the drive to work with businesses to create good quality jobs, reignite the economy and drive innovation around the country.

"Our plans will create 14,000 jobs and generate £1billion a year in economic benefits.

"By increasing resilience and capacity we can also support the UK’s position as a leader in global connectivity and deliver substantial trade and economic growth in the South East and beyond.

"We look forward to receiving the Secretary of State’s final decision later this year."

Gatwick's seeking to rebuild its Northern Runway, which is currently used as a standby and for maintenance, to be used by smaller departing aircraft.

This would include moving the centre line of the runway further north by 12m, bringing it within global safety standards to operate dual runway departures.

This £2.2bn expansion, which features an array of supporting infrastructure upgrades, would enable it to build towards its target of 80 million annual passengers.

The Secretary of State for Transport’s letter of 27th February stated she is "minded to grant consent" for the Northern Runway plan but requested feedback on additional conditions recommended by the Planning Inspectorate.

Gatwick said that among the necessary improvements would include the full reinstatement of the Gatwick Express – the service has been running at two trains per hour since it restarted in 2022, compared to four trains per hour pre-Covid.

The airport added that "given the reliance on other parties to achieve this 54 per cent target" it proposes an alternative "cars-on-the-road limit" should the public transport requirement not be met.

Gatwick said that if neither of the above requirements were met, it would delay use of the Northern Runway until £350 million of road improvements have been completed.

The airport also stressed they responded to the Transport Secretary "on a number of other matters including measures to strengthen sustainable design and reduce emissions".

Now that Gatwick's response has been submitted, the Transport Secretary will provide a final decision by 27th October.

Meanwhile Gatwick is also working on their £140m Pier 6 extension - extending an existing 197-metre mid-airfield pier connected to the North Terminal - due to be completed in 2027.

The new work The work will add eight new aircraft gates, removing the need for more than half a million passengers per year to be coached to remote stands, and in turn eliminating 12,000 bus journeys annually.