The UK approved Gatwick’s £2.2B second runway, boosting flights and jobs, despite environmental concerns.

The UK government has approved Gatwick Airport’s £2.2 billion second runway project, a privately financed expansion involving relocating an emergency runway 12 meters north to accommodate up to 100,000 additional annual flights. Chancellor Rachel Reeves praised the decision as evidence of the government’s commitment to “backing builders, not blockers,” with Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander calling it a “no-brainer” for growth. The project, expected to generate around 14,000 jobs and £1 billion in annual economic benefits, includes legally binding public transport targets, noise mitigation measures like triple-glazed window funding, and financial support for affected homeowners. While the government says it aligns with environmental standards and is part of broader planning reforms to stimulate economic renewal ahead of the November 26 Budget, environmental groups and local campaigners remain critical.