Overview

• Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander granted final consent on 21 September after a earlier ‘minded to approve’ decision and further adjustments.
• The scheme brings the northern runway into routine use for narrow-body departures, alongside terminal extensions and extensive taxiway works.
• Forecasts indicate roughly 100,000 additional flights a year and passenger numbers rising toward 75–80 million, with operations targeted by 2029.
• Approval conditions include noise mitigation and airport-set public transport targets, plus measures such as triple glazing and help with moving costs for affected households.
• Gatwick’s £2.2bn expansion will be funded by shareholders, with the airport citing about 14,000 jobs and £1bn a year in economic benefits as campaigners pursue judicial review.