Gatwick Northern Runway Plans Move Forward After Appeal Fails

Gatwick Airport’s plans to bring its Northern Runway into regular use can move forward after campaigners lost their latest legal challenge.

The Court of Appeal upheld an earlier High Court ruling, which supported the government’s decision to approve the £2.2 billion project. Campaigners had raised concerns over aircraft noise, emissions and the impact of further airport expansion.

The project does not involve building a completely new runway. Gatwick plans to move the centre line of its existing Northern Runway around 12 metres north, allowing it to operate alongside the airport’s main runway.

The wider development includes new taxiways, terminal extensions and additional airport infrastructure.

Gatwick says the privately funded project could allow the airport to handle up to 80 million passengers a year, while creating around 14,000 jobs.

The airport hopes to begin regular use of the Northern Runway by around 2030. Campaigners remain opposed to the plans despite the latest court decision.