How much would second Gatwick runway be used? Key questions as public consultation opens

The public consultation into Gatwick's plan to become a two-runway airport is finally open.

It is now five years since the Government snubbed Gatwick's plans for a second runway in favour of expansion at Heathrow instead.

Early in 2018, we reported how the airport wanted to bring its existing emergency runway into regular use, a plan confirmed in the airport's draft master plan published later that year and finalised in 2019. That was before Covid wreaked havoc across the world, and brought the aviation industry to its knees.

While the consultation document says Gatwick has been "devastated" by Covid, it expects to be back to pre-pandemic levels within four to five years and believes it will need more capacity before the end of the next decade.

Campaigners claim the expansion would have a huge impact on climate change and on the local area, with increased noise and air pollution. As the debate heats up, we take a look at what Gatwick has said about the plans

How much would the runway be used?

The airport has said that departures would be shared between both runways and the Northern runway would be used for smaller aircraft. Arrivals will use the main runway.

Will new flight paths come along with the new runway?

No. According to the plans, flights departing from the Northern runway would use existing flight paths.

What other changes will be made?

The Northern runway needs to be realigned and the North and South terminals would also be extended to accommodate passenger growth and improve baggage handling.

Changes to roads include a flyover to take through-traffic over the roundabout on the M23 spur.

The development would also include three new hotels with up to 1,000 rooms, up to 18,500 car parking spaces and three new office blocks with 9,000 square metres of office space.

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Will Gatwick's passenger capacity increase?

Yes. Having two runways would mean that the airport could increase its annual passenger capacity to 75 million by 2038. Without the expansion, Gatwick says, capacity by then would be 62 million. In 2019, more than 46 million passengers used the airport.

What would the expansion mean for jobs and other benefits?

The airport has said the development would generate 18,400 extra jobs and £1.5 billion for the local area and region by 2038.

Gatwick says bringing the emergency runway into routine use would also "reduce delays, bring new global connections and allow us to grow".

The airport says the project will create growth for businesses onsite and the supply chain, as well as boosting other businesses in the area.

What happens next?

The scheme ranks as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project and Gatwick will need to apply for a Development Consent Order (DCO) to build and operate it, which it expects to do next year. A decision is not expected from the Secretary of State for Transport until 2024.

What about the environment and noise?

Surrey Green Party councillor Jonathan Essex has warned that converting the emergency runway to support even more flights "would be a disaster for the climate".

However, Gatwick chief executive officer Stewart Wingate has said: "We will grow in a way that supports the Government in achieving its commitment to net zero emissions by 2050."

The airport says it is working on a Carbon and Climate Change Action Plan.

The consultation proposes the construction of new noise bunds and a new noise insulation scheme for homes most affected.