Gatwick expansion could add 100,000 more flights

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander supports the move to bring the under utilised emergency runway into permanent usage.

Alexander is ‘minded to approve’ the Gatwick planning application that will potentially see passenger traffic increase by tens of millions.

It would cost about £2.2 billion to relocate the runway several metres further north enabling both runways to operate simultaneously.

However, the final approval has been pushed back to October 27 due to extra noise pollution safeguards required.

Both airport terminals would also be upgraded and work would be required on existing taxiways.

Access roads would also be remodeled.

It could boost Gatwick’s passenger numbers to 75 million from the current 45 million.