Many additional slots created by bringing a second runway into use at Gatwick would support long-haul services, according to the airport.
These would include “high-spending” markets such as the US, Middle East and Asia.
Regular use of the northern runway for departures would raise capacity to around 75.6 million passengers and 382,000 air traffic movements in 2038, and more than 80 million passengers and 386,000 take off and landings a year in 2047. The airport handled 18.5 million passengers in the first six months of this year.
A report by Oxford Economics highlights that international visitors arriving via Gatwick are likely to increase from 5.6 million in pre-pandemic 2019 to nine million in 2038, 1.6 million more than without the second runway.
The uplift in tourism would also generate £8.74 billion of Gross Value Added (GVA) through increased spending by international visitors by 2038, amounting to nearly £2 billion more than without the additional runway.
There would be 130,700 jobs by 2038, both directly and indirectly supported by Gatwick-facilitated tourism, as a result of increasing numbers of international arrivals, the study suggests.
This compares to the 84,100 jobs in 2019, and 28,700 more than without the northern runway.
The airport is proposing to bring its existing northern runway into regular use alongside its main runway.
Consumers have until October 29 to provide comments on the plan to the Planning Inspectorate.
The airport claims the “low-impact” plan will improve resilience, reduce delays, and boost the economy by supporting trade, tourism and new jobs.
Head of external engagement and policy Alison Addy said: “With inbound visitors to the UK forecast to reach 37.5 million this year – and a significant proportion of these travelling to London and the southeast – it’s clear the significant contribution London Gatwick plays in supporting the thriving tourism industry, alongside local, regional and national economies.
“Businesses and individuals associated with the tourism industry – from family-run B&Bs and independent taxi drivers, to major tourist attractions and hotel chains – already benefit from having London Gatwick facilitating visitors from around the world.
“We are confident that by bringing our existing northern runway into regular use – and by offering more global connections – we can further boost this vital part of our local, regional and national economies, and the hundreds of thousands of jobs the tourism industry supports.”
Tourism South East chief executive Fran Downton said: “The long-term sustainable development of London Gatwick plays a fundamental part in the economic prosperity of the region.
“The growth plans for the northern runway will inevitably support and drive the visitor sector, its businesses, its employment, and the green agenda to the benefit of the southeast.”