Gatwick Airport, long recognized as Europe’s busiest single-runway hub, has officially received the green light from the UK government to move ahead with a £2.2 billion expansion that will bring its northern runway into full, routine use. The long-anticipated decision, announced by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander on the evening of September 21, 2025, marks a pivotal moment for British aviation and the wider economy, promising a dramatic boost in both passenger capacity and economic output.
Currently, Gatwick operates with one main runway and a standby northern runway, the latter used only for taxiing or as an emergency backup. The expansion project, now fully approved, will involve shifting the northern runway 12 metres north. This adjustment—while seemingly modest on paper—will allow both runways to operate simultaneously for the first time, a move that is expected to facilitate an additional 100,000 flights annually. According to Sky News and the BBC, this could see Gatwick’s total annual flights jump from about 280,000 to nearly 389,000 by the late 2030s, with passenger numbers potentially soaring to as many as 80 million each year.
The project is notable not just for its scale, but for its financing. Uniquely, the £2.2 billion price tag is being covered entirely by private sources, with no public money involved—a point emphasized by both government officials and Gatwick bosses. “The transport secretary has cleared Gatwick expansion for take-off,” a government spokesperson told Sky News, describing the project as a “no-brainer for growth.” They added, “It is possible that planes could be taking off from a new full runway at Gatwick before the next general election.” The operational date for the new runway is currently projected for 2029, though some suggest it could come even sooner.
Proponents of the expansion argue that it is essential for keeping the UK competitive in an aviation market expected to double in size by 2040. Gatwick’s leadership claims the project will create 14,000 new jobs, add £1 billion annually to the economy, and support thousands more jobs in supply chains. The airport’s plans also include upgrades to taxiways, terminals, and aircraft gates, all aimed at transforming Gatwick into a dual-runway powerhouse capable of handling surging demand for both short-haul and long-haul flights. As BBC News notes, the second runway is expected to handle the bulk of short-haul flights, freeing up the main runway for more long-haul services.
Yet, the path to approval has not been straightforward. The Planning Inspectorate initially rejected the expansion due to concerns over noise, public transport connections, and environmental impact. In response, Gatwick revised its plans, introducing stricter noise controls, enhanced insulation for residents (including funding for triple-glazed windows), and a commitment to ensure at least 54% of passengers arrive by public transport before the new runway opens. If this target is not met, a “cars-on-the-road” limit will be imposed, and if necessary, the runway’s opening could be delayed until £350 million in road improvements are completed. Compensation measures for residents under flight paths have also been included, such as covering stamp duty and estate agent fees for those who choose to move.
Despite these concessions, opposition remains fierce. Environmental and local groups, including Communities Against Gatwick Noise Emissions (CAGNE), have vowed to challenge the decision through a judicial review, funded by local residents and environmental organizations. Sally Pavey, chair of CAGNE, expressed deep concerns about “uncontrollable noise, ramifications on the roads, decline in air quality... and climate change.” She told BBC News, “We can’t keep ignoring climate change and it would be wrong to allow a new ‘bucket and spade’ runway, as we put it, at the expense of residents and the economy.” The group is preparing legal action should the expansion proceed as planned.
Climate campaigners have been especially vocal. Green Party leader Zack Polanski posted on X, “Aviation expansion is a disaster for the climate crisis. Anyone who’s been paying any attention to this shambles of a Labour Government knows they don’t care about people in poverty, don’t care about nature nor for the planet. Just big business and their own interests.” Friends of the Earth echoed this sentiment, with head of campaigns Rosie Downes warning, “If we’re to meet our legally-binding climate targets, today’s decision also makes it much harder for the government to approve expansion at Heathrow.” Hannah Lawrence, spokesperson for Stay Grounded, argued for “an immediate end to airport expansion and money put into improving sustainable transport such as trains.”
Even some economists have questioned the project’s broader benefits. Alex Chapman, senior economist at the New Economics Foundation, told BBC News that the expansion “would not create new jobs, but would just shift them from other parts of the country.” He added, “People are already perfectly able to catch cheap flights on holiday or travel for business.” Greenpeace UK policy director Douglas Parr was equally blunt: “The only thing it’s set to boost is air pollution, noise, and climate emissions.”
On the political front, the decision has exposed divisions. Shadow transport secretary Richard Holden welcomed the approval as “a vital step towards driving economic growth,” but criticized Labour for “dithering and delaying at every turn.” He stressed, “Now that Gatwick’s second runway has been approved, it’s crucial Labour ensures this infrastructure helps drive the economic growth our country needs.” Chris Curtis, who chairs Labour’s growth group, welcomed the move but called for “radical planning reform” to enable future projects to be completed more swiftly.
Business groups, including the Business Travel Association, have cheered the decision as a “significant milestone” for UK connectivity. Even unions, such as Unite, support the expansion—provided it comes with “guarantees of well-paid, unionised jobs and proper facilities for workers.” For airlines like EasyJet and British Airways, the expansion could ease slot constraints and open up new routes, potentially lowering fares and increasing options for travelers.
The government has made clear that all airport expansion must comply with the UK’s legally binding climate change commitments and strict environmental requirements. Gatwick will be required to submit further details on carbon impacts by April 2026. The project is also seen as part of a broader aviation growth strategy, following recent moves to support expansion at other airports, including Heathrow and Luton.
As construction gears up, all eyes are on Gatwick to see if it can deliver on its promises of economic growth, environmental stewardship, and community well-being. The coming years will test whether Britain’s aviation ambitions can truly take off without leaving its climate and communities behind. For now, the skies over West Sussex look set to become a whole lot busier.
