Transport Secretary Advocates for Airport Expansion Amidst Gatwick Decision Deadline
In a recent address at the annual dinner of Airlines UK, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander expressed her firm belief in the necessity of airport expansion. This statement comes as she approaches a crucial deadline to decide on the future of Gatwick Airport’s second runway proposal. Alexander emphasized that the UK must balance economic growth with environmental protection, stating, “We must do both.”
Highlighting her personal affinity for flying, she remarked, “I am not some sort of flight-shaming eco-warrior. I love flying. I always have.” In her speech, Alexander assured aviation leaders that the government will strive to support the sector and alleviate constraints on growth.
Due to make her decision by Thursday, the Transport Secretary is faced with a significant development consent order application from Gatwick, which aims to utilize its emergency runway for regular flights. This move would increase the airport’s capacity by facilitating an additional 100,000 flights annually.
Addressing the audience, she acknowledged the ongoing capacity challenges at airports, particularly in the South East. She revealed that the planning application for Gatwick’s expansion is currently “literally on my desk.” Alexander noted, “Some might say the current national debate about airport expansion highlights a fundamental tension between growing the economy while protecting the environment. I say we must do both.”
In addition to her decision on Gatwick, Alexander is also tasked with evaluating Luton Airport’s expansion plans. Meanwhile, Heathrow is actively developing its detailed plans for a third runway project. She stressed that her role as the key decision-maker is to “strike a balance” between the potential economic benefits—such as job creation, enhanced trade, and boosted tourism—and critical environmental considerations, including air quality obligations, noise reduction, and equitable cost distribution.
She stated, “This Government believes in increasing airport capacity. We’re ambitious for the sector. However, these strict criteria must be met if we are to balance the needs of today with the necessities of tomorrow.”
The proposed £2.2 billion project at Gatwick involves relocating the emergency runway 12 meters north. The extensive plans encompass remodelling and replacing existing taxiways, extending both terminals, and adding new aircraft gates. Additionally, improvements to road connections to both terminals will be funded by Gatwick, including flyovers designed to separate local traffic from airport-bound vehicles.
A significant £250 million upgrade of the airport’s railway station was completed in November 2023, enhancing accessibility. The expansion will also include provisions for additional car parking, office spaces, and hotels. Gatwick maintains that its expansion plans are “shovel ready,” anticipating that construction could commence within the year, with hopes for the upgraded runway to be operational by the end of the decade.
However, local campaigners have raised concerns regarding the potential impacts of Gatwick’s expansion on surface transport, noise pollution, housing availability, and wastewater management. In response, the airport asserts that it has conducted “full and thorough assessments” of these issues.
Currently, the emergency runway serves as a taxiway or is utilized when the main runway is unavailable due to maintenance or incidents. Under the new plan, this runway would accommodate departures for narrower-bodied aircraft such as the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737. Operating as a dual-runway airport would enable Gatwick to add approximately 10-15 flights per hour during peak periods, increasing its total annual flights from 280,000 to 380,000. This expansion is projected to elevate annual passenger numbers from 45 million to 75 million. Gatwick estimates that its expansion plans could generate an impressive £1 billion in economic benefits and create an additional 14,000 jobs.
