If its Northern Runway plans are approved, London Gatwick’s Chief Commercial Officer has argued that it could support more than 35,000 additional jobs across the UK, through the doubling of imports.
Proposals to bring the existing Northern Runway into regular use alongside its Main Runway would support a significant uplift in trade, with cargo capacity to more than double, Jonathan Pollard said.
The additional capacity would see airport-facilitated imports more than double between 2019 and 2038, to 161,500 tonnes, according to socio-economic studies commissioned by London Gatwick.
A report by Oxford Economics highlights that the Gross Value Added (GVA) contribution to the UK’s economy generated by these imports would increase to £9.8 billion in 2038, more than twice the value in 2019, and £2.1 billion higher than without the Northern Runway development.
With London Gatwick investing in its long-term future, its planning application to bring the Northern Runway into regular use has recently been accepted for detailed examination by the Planning Inspectorate.
“This low-impact plan will improve resilience, reduce delays, and provide a significant boost to the national and regional economy by supporting trade, tourism and new jobs,” Mr Pollard said.
Anyone wishing to comment on the plans has until 29 October 2023 to register with the Planning Inspectorate and provide a summary of their views on the airport’s application. For more details, see HERE.
