Gatwick Airport has been given the green light to move forward with a £2.2 billion expansion that will transform it into a dual-runway operation for the first time. The project will convert the existing Northern Runway, currently used as a taxiway or standby, into a fully functioning runway, helping the UK’s second-busiest airport handle up to 80 million passengers a year.
By increasing capacity and reducing congestion, the development positions Gatwick to meet rising demand for both domestic and international travel in the decades ahead.
Dual-Runway Operation to Add 100,000+ Flights
The expansion will see the Northern Runway shifted 12 metres north to meet safety standards and support short-haul flights. This will free up the main runway for more long-haul services and allow the airport to increase annual flight movements from 280,000 to around 389,000 by the late 2030s.
Before full dual-runway operations begin, Gatwick plans to introduce 40,000 extra flights, with an eventual rise of up to 70,000 additional flights per year, nearly 190 more flights per day.
£140m Pier Extension to Improve Passenger Flow
As part of the wider development, Gatwick Airport will invest £140 million to extend Pier 6, adding eight new aircraft gates adjacent to the runways. This upgrade will remove the need to bus approximately one million passengers annually to remote stands, improving efficiency and the overall passenger experience.
Additional infrastructure changes include enhancements to terminals, taxiways, roads, and environmental features such as rivers and drainage.
Win for the Economy, No cost to Taxpayers
Crucially, the entire £2.2 billion project will be privately funded, with no requirement for government or taxpayer support. The airport forecasts that the development will inject £1 billion into the UK economy every year and create 14,000 new jobs across the region.
The project is seen as a major boost for tourism, trade, and business travel, and is expected to deliver long-term economic resilience for the South East and beyond. See more about Gatwick HERE.
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