Gatwick has detailed plans for a second runway to be positioned to the south of the current site.
In its submission to the government’s Airports Commission, the airport said its has a “robust and compelling case” outlining why the next runway for the London area should be built at Gatwick.
Chief executive Stewart Wingate said: “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 its evidence shows that fares at a single dominant hub airport can be “significantly higher” than in a city which has a number of competing airports.
Fares are already lower in general at Gatwick than at Heathrow to the same destinations, clearly demonstrating the value to passengers of competition, it adds.
The Gatwick proposal follows Heathrow outlining proposals for a third runway last week.
West Sussex County Council leader Louise Goldsmith said: “The county council has voted to support expansion of Gatwick, in principle, because of the huge potential economic benefits for West Sussex.
“However, we want to work with Gatwick, residents and partners to ensure that any development will take into account the environmental concerns that people rightly have, and include all of the essential infrastructure that a development of this scale would require. We are pleased that Gatwick has agreed to work with us on these issues.”