Key facts
- Gatwick Airport's expansion has been approved after the Court of Appeal dismissed a legal challenge.
- The £2.2bn project will allow approximately 100,000 more flights annually.
- The expansion involves repositioning the emergency runway for routine use by short-haul passenger aircraft.
- Campaigners argued the government did not properly assess the scheme's climate impact.
- Luton Airport also had all legal challenges to its expansion plans cleared.
Gatwick Airport's expansion plans have been cleared to proceed after the Court of Appeal rejected a legal challenge brought by local campaigners. The decision allows work on the airport's second runway to commence, enabling approximately 100,000 additional flights annually. The £2.2bn project involves slightly repositioning the airport's emergency runway for routine use by short-haul passenger aircraft, aiming for operation by 2030. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander hailed the ruling as a 'major milestone', highlighting potential economic benefits and increased holiday choices, alongside a £219m investment in green fuel production to cut emissions. Campaigners, however, expressed disappointment, arguing that the government did not adequately assess the scheme's climate impact, noise, and pollution. Meanwhile, Luton Airport also saw all legal challenges to its expansion plans dismissed, clearing the way for its capacity increase.