Gatwick today put forward its case for a second runway, claiming it would provide the UK with more flights and more connections than expanding Heathrow.
The airport also made a commitment to start building the runway before the end of the next parliament in 2020, bringing the economic advantages quicker than Heathrow at what it claims would be a fraction of the environmental cost.
Leading architect Sir Terry Farrell said an expanded Gatwick would have an “Olympic scale” effect across south London and the wider metropolitan region.
The details emerged as the airport unveiled a campaign – ‘Gatwick Obviously’ – to step up its case for expansion.
Findings from new research to be submitted to the Airports Commission in May show that there would be more connections to more destinations with a second runway at Gatwick than with a third runway at Heathrow.
Work led by Sir Terry also shows how expansion at Gatwick would provide better balanced growth for London, the region and the UK.
With the majority of traffic shared between London’s two major airports, the economic benefits would be more evenly distributed across London and the southeast, and have significant regenerative benefits in particular for south London, including Croydon, and down to Brighton and the south coast.
An expanded Gatwick would help the UK connect to 27 more destinations than a third runway at Heathrow (442 vs 415 destinations served from London).
The same research also shows that a second runway, as part of the network of airports surrounding London, would cater for 11 million more passengers each year by 2050 than a three-runway Heathrow.
Gatwick today also committed to bringing the economic benefits of an additional runway as fast as possible to the UK.
Subject to government approval and assuming quick decision making, Gatwick believes it can start construction of a new runway before the end of the next parliament in 2020, with the first flights taking off by the end of 2025.
Gatwick chief executive Stewart Wingate said: “The next runway needs to bring the greatest economic return for the UK at the lowest environmental cost.
“That makes Gatwick the obvious answer as we will be able to connect to more destinations in the future because we are the only airport to cater for all airline models.
“It is the best solution that embraces long-term aviation trends. It can also be delivered in less time with less cost and less noise. Most importantly, passengers will benefit from more choice and better value for money.
“If chosen – and with swift decision making – we are committing today to start work on site in the next Parliament.”
Sir Terry said: “I have no doubt that with a second runway, Gatwick will deliver more balanced, and more widely spread, economic growth for London and the southeast.
“Expansion at Gatwick could do for south London and the wider region what the Olympics did for east London and give a huge boost in terms of jobs, housing and regeneration.”
The new information was presented today at an event at the Shard in London for political and business leaders.