The British government said it has approved a second runway at London Gatwick Airport.
It approved the new 2.2 million pound (US$2.96 million) runway after revealing in February that it was ‘minded to approve’ the development that would bring its backup runway to full use and add millions of new passengers in the 2030s.
The airport currently handles around 280,000 flights a year, and the plan would allow that number to increase to 389,000 by the end of the 2030s.
A Department for Transport spokesperson said transport minister Heidi Alexander had issued a letter approving the airport's application to expand operations through routine use of its existing northern runway after careful consideration.
Stewart Wingate, U.K. Managing Director of VINCI Airports, which owns a 50.1% stake in London Gatwick Airport, welcomed the approval ahead of the 27 October deadline.
“This is another important gateway in the planning process for this £2.2 billion investment, which is fully funded by our shareholders and will unlock significant growth, tourism and trade benefits for London Gatwick and the UK and create thousands of jobs,” he said.
“As we’ve said previously, it is essential that any planning conditions enable us to realise the full benefits of the project and do not impose unnecessary constraints that make it uneconomic to invest in.”
Gatwick plans to move the backup runway by 12 metres to meet safety standards for both runways to operate by the end of the decade, boosting trade and tourism and creating 14,000 jobs.
It could also see passenger numbers rise to 80 million, with the second runway set to be used for short-haul flights.
The government said that the sustainable aviation fuel means airport enlargements don’t derail net-zero targets.
