Assuming final consent is given in October Gatwick will now start work next year on turning its existing Northern Runway - currently only used as a taxiway or when the main runway is out of action - into a fulltime airstrip, although it will only be used for take-offs.
Gatwick’s £2.2 billion privately financed project would see it move the emergency runway 12 metres north, enabling it to be used for departures of narrow-bodied planes such as Airbus A320s and Boeing 737s.
In addition to making a decision on Gatwick, Ms Alexander also has a deadline of April 3 to determine whether Luton Airport’s expansion plan can go ahead.
Gatwick has been given conditional approval for massive expansion plans that will create a second runway and upgrade its terminals.
“We are already contributing over £5.5 billion to the UK economy and supporting over 76,000 jobs, but unless we can access greater airport capacity the UK will miss out on opportunities to enhance global connectivity and unlock further opportunities for trade, tourism and job creation.”.
