Revolution in the making : London Gatwick will get its second runway

The UK Court of Appeal rejected bids from environmental groups and local campaigners to overturn the government’s approval of the £2.2 billion project. The ruling brings an end to an eight-year planning and legal process and allows construction to move forward.

The project will convert Gatwick’s existing emergency northern runway into a fully operational second runway by shifting it 12 meters north, allowing simultaneous use alongside the airport’s main runway.

Once completed, the expansion is expected to add around 100,000 flights a year and increase Gatwick’s annual passenger capacity by approximately 13 million, taking total capacity to more than 80 million passengers. The airport aims to have the new runway operational by 2030.

Beyond the runway itself, the scheme includes new taxiways, additional aircraft stands and gates, terminal upgrades, improved road access and supporting infrastructure.

Gatwick CEO Stewart Wingate welcomed the decision, saying the judgment provides certainty for one of the UK’s most significant aviation infrastructure projects. He said the expansion will strengthen UK connectivity, create around 14,000 jobs and generate an estimated £1 billion in annual economic benefits.

The UK government also hailed the ruling, describing airport expansion as essential to boosting economic growth while maintaining commitments to decarbonizing aviation through investments in sustainable aviation fuel and cleaner technologies.

Opposition groups, including Communities Against Gatwick Noise Emissions (CAGNE) and the Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign (GACC), argued the expansion would increase aircraft noise and carbon emissions and undermine the UK’s climate commitments. However, the Court of Appeal upheld an earlier High Court judgment that found the government’s approval process was lawful and that the legal grounds for appeal had no realistic prospect of success.

For airlines, the decision opens the door to significant new capacity in one of Europe’s busiest aviation markets. The additional slots are expected to support growth in short-haul European services while providing opportunities for long-haul expansion and greater competition among carriers.

The ruling also reinforces the UK government’s broader strategy of expanding airport capacity. Alongside Gatwick, plans for Heathrow’s third runway and Luton Airport’s expansion remain key elements of the country’s long-term aviation growth agenda.