London Gatwick Airport plans to expand with 90.000 extra flights per year

London Gatwick Airport has drawn up a report explaining its expansion plans for the future. The airport states that it can realize 90.000 extra flights per year when the new northern runway is finished. The plans still have to be approved by the British Ministry of Transportation.

Gatwick wants to process 74 million passengers by 2038

With the planned runway and terminal expansion, London Gatwick Airport plans to process 74 million passengers in 2038, compared to 46 million in 2018. The plans are drawn up keeping a 2021 building start in mind. Besides a new runway, the airport plans to expand its terminals and create more hotels nearby the airport. The new runway has to be operational in 2026.

New runway has to solve current runway problems

Gatwick Airport currently has two runways; however, they cannot be used at the same time as their proximity is too close. By expanding the current emergency runway and creating more distance between the two, the safety requirements can be met, allowing the runways to be used at the same time. The new runway and therefore, flight capacity can be increased reducing the pressure on London airports.