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UK green lights £2.2bn second Gatwick Airport runway
22 September 2025
Sunrise departures from Gatwick Airport (Image: photogoodwin via AdobeStock - stock.adobe.com)
The UK government has approved plans for a privately financed £2.2 billion (US$3 billion) project to build a second runway at London Gatwick Airport.
The work involves moving Gatwick’s Northern Runway, currently only used for taxiing or as a back-up, by 12 metres to bring it into regular use.
The airports terminals are also expected to be expanded as part of the work.
Gatwick Airport said the expansion would allow it to increase the number of flights it handles to around 389,000 annually by the late 2030s, up from around 280,000 flights a year currently.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has approved the plans as the UK government seeks out economic growth.
She had previously indicated in February that the government was “minded to grant consent” for the Northern Runway planning application but planning inspectors expressed concerns around the proposals. In April, Gatwick Airport agreed to stricter noise controls and having 54% of air passengers using public transport before the Northern Runway opened.
The new plans also stipulate that local residents affected by noise can ask Gatwick to cover the cost of triple-glazed windows at their property.
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