An expert involved in airport development in Abu Dhabi, Mumbai and Singapore has joined Gatwick as development director.
Raymond Melee has been appointed to prepare the groundwork and ensure the building of of a second runway can start immediately, should it win government approval.
He will also be responsible for taking forward a £1 billion investment programme to improve the existing airport infrastructure, including a complete transformation of the North Terminal.
Melee, described as one of the world’s most experienced airport construction project managers, said: “The UK has been debating a new runway in the southeast for decades and there is little time left for talk.
“More capacity is urgently needed and, from a construction perspective, Gatwick’s plans are comparatively low risk and have few complex hurdles to overcome.
“Gatwick expansion is the most deliverable option and will deliver more passengers and destinations earlier, while boosting choice and competition at a fraction of the cost, complexity, and environmental impact of expansion at Heathrow.
“Give us the green light and our new runway and terminal will be operational by 2025.”
The appointment comes as Gatwick vies with rival Heathrow for the right to expand.
Both have been shortlisted for expansion by the Airports Commission which is due to report to the new government following next month’s general election.