Gatwick airport will begin “detailed work on the options for a new runway” after claiming it would have advantages over expansion at Heathrow and Stansted, or the building of a new hub airport in the Thames estuary.
The airport said it will submit its findings to the Independent Commission on Aviation Connectivity being led by Sir Howard Davies. Although Gatwick stressed it remains committed to the legal agreement with West Sussex County Council, which prevents any new runway being built at Gatwick before 2019.
Gatwick said it would “look in detail at the implications of a new runway and will cover all issues which Gatwick anticipates will be relevant to the commission and the eventual policy decision by the government on airport expansion”, including “environmental, surface access and economic impacts”.
The airport claims the “additional capacity, flexibility and resilience that could be provided by a new runway at Gatwick would help to ensure that London’s airports provide the south-east and the UK with the connectivity they need”.
Gatwick will also evaluate how its existing single runway capacity can be maximised “to contribute to the short-term capacity needs for London and the UK”.
Gatwick’s chief executive Stewart Wingate said that there were “clear practical advantages of a new runway at Gatwick”.
“When compared with a third runway at Heathrow, we would have a significantly lower environmental impact whilst adding significantly more capacity,” said Wingate.
“Stansted is half empty today, we already have much better surface transport links and feel our business case will be much stronger. As for the Estuary airport concepts, there are major questions on affordability, environmental issues and whether they are deliverable.”
Since Gatwick airport was taken over by Global Infrastructure Partners in 2009, around £650 million has been invested in the facility, including the extension of the North Terminal, and revamped facilities at its South Terminal.
gatwickairport.com