Gatwick Airport in the UK has been given the all-clear to develop and operate a second runway full time after a legal challenge to the expansion project was dismissed.
The UK government gave development consent for Gatwick’s second runway in September last year, meaning the airport would be able to put its backup runway into regular use.
However, an environmental and noise judicial review was brought by the Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign and Communities Against Gatwick Noise Emissions.
This review was dismissed by the High Court in June, prompting the campaigners to seek permission to appeal the High Court decision.
However, on Tuesday, the Court of Appeal refused permission.
Under the former planning agreement, Gatwick’s northern runway is used only when the main runway is closed for maintenance or emergencies.
A £2.2bn project will see the northern runway slightly repositioned. The first flights are expected to operate from the repositioned runway from 2030, adding 100,000 additional flights each year.
Logistics UK and the British International Freight Association (BIFA) have both previously backed Gatwick’s plans.
Heidi Alexander, transport secretary, said: “This is a major milestone for Gatwick for local communities, with expansion unlocking investment and creating thousands of new jobs.
“Around 13m more passengers and 100,000 more flights will give holidaymakers greater choice and strengthen global links to help make the UK one of the most attractive places in the world to invest.
“We’ll back expansion that supports growth and our climate goals. To drive forward sustainable change, we’re also investing over £219m for green fuel production to cut emissions from flying and secure the future of aviation.”
