London-Gatwick Airport (LGW) has welcomed the UK government’s response to its second runway application despite its decision to extend the process.
On February 27, 2025, the Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander, said that she was issuing a “minded to approve” decision for “some additional time to seek views from all parties on the provisions”.
The extension to the application process is due to concerns over noise prevention and public transport raised by the Planning Inspectorate.
Gatwick now has until April 24, 2025, to accept further conditions and the UK government has set a new deadline of October 27, 2025, for its final decision.
“The transport secretary has set out a path to approving the expansion of Gatwick today following the planning inspectorate’s recommendation to refuse the original application. Expansion will bring huge benefits for business and represents a victory for holidaymakers. We want to deliver this opportunity in line with our legal, environmental and climate obligations,” said a government spokesperson.
They added: “We look forward to Gatwick’s response as they have indicated planes could take off from a new runway before the end of this parliament.”
Gatwick’s application proposes repositioning the center line of the Northern Runway 12 meters north to allow dual runway operations and promises major road improvements, including a flyover to separate airport and local traffic.
“We welcome today’s announcement that the Secretary of State for Transport is minded approving our Northern Runway plans and has outlined a clear pathway to full approval later in the year. It is vital that any planning conditions attached to the final approval enable us to make a decision to invest £2.2bn in this project and realise the full benefits of bringing the Northern Runway into routine use,” said Stewart Wingate, CEO at London-Gatwick Airport.
He added: “We will of course engage fully in the extended process for a final decision.’
According to Wingate, the second runway will generate £1 billion ($1.2 billion) a year in economic benefits.
