Airport News
The UK capacity crunch saga goes on, with Gatwick officially submitting its proposal for a second runway, located south of its current site, to the Airports Commission.
The gateway believes it is the most affordable, sustainable and deliverable solution for London and for the UK.
Stewart Wingate, London Gatwick's chief executive, said: “London is the best connected city in the world today because the UK's aviation industry is one of the most competitive and innovative.
“Our proposal to the Airports Commission builds on this foundation and would ensure that the UK has an airports policy which offers the additional capacity that Britain needs, improves the resilience of the airports system and, above all, can be delivered.
“Our evidence shows clearly that an additional runway at Gatwick would best serve the needs of all passengers, and give certainty to airlines, communities and businesses.
“It would deliver the connectivity the UK needs with lower environmental impacts, whilst spreading the economic benefits.
“A two-runway Gatwick, as part of a constellation of three major airports surrounding London, will also provide flexibility in an industry where the only constant is change.”
Gatwick claims that its proposal build on the strengths on the existing network of airports, which serve the widespread and densely populated London and South East market.
It claims it the best solution for London and the UK on the grounds that it is the most deliverable solution, and can be privately financed and would not require substantial government subsidies such as Heathrow or the Thames Estuary Airport.
It also insists that a second runway at Gatwick has significantly less environmental and community obstacles because the overall number of people affected by noise with a second runway at Gatwick is equivalent to only 5% of the people that Heathrow impacts today.
Studies show that the number of people impacted by noise at Gatwick would range from 3,300 – comparable to today with a single runway – up to 11,800.
And the bid appears to have strong local support, from West Sussex County Council, Kent County Council, the Gatwick Diamond Business, Gatwick Diamond Initiative, Coast to Capital LEP and Sussex Enterprise.
