UK government ministers are preparing to greenlight an expansion of London Gatwick, as part of a broader government push to nurture economic growth, reported the Financial Times on January 21, 2025.
Valued at £2.2 billion ($2.7 billion), the project will enable Gatwick to handle up to 75 million passengers annually by the late 2030s, a significant increase from the record 46.5 million passengers in 2019 at the single-runway airport.
The government is also keen to approve an expansion of Luton airport if concerns about noise pollution from passenger jets flying over rural areas can be addressed.
Additionally, the Financial Times also reported that UK chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to reaffirm her support for Heathrow’s future expansion, including plans to build a third runway at Britain’s biggest and busiest airport. Labour has said it will allow Heathrow’s expansion if it passes four “tests” set by ministers relating to climate change, noise, air pollution, and economic growth, the news outlet said.
Transport secretary Heidi Alexander must decide by February 27, 2025, on Gatwick’s plan to bring its standby runway into regular use. Alexander must also rule by April 3, 2025, on Luton’s proposals. If approved, expansion at Luton will increase passenger numbers from 18 million a year to 32 million.
The UK government committed nearly £1 billion ($1.29 billion) in funding for the aerospace sector in its autumn budget on October 30, 2024.