Controversial Gatwick second runway could open within a decade and double travellers to 70 million a year as protesters vow to scupper the plan

A 2nd runway would double passenger number to around 70 million a year. Opponents of expansion, GACC, said: ‘We stand ready, if need be, to launch a massive campaign to  defeat any  new runway plan, as we have defeated such plans in the past. ‘It would mean twice as many planes in the  sky, twice the noise, twice the  local pollution, twice the number of  airport-related cars, and twice the climate change damage. Twice as many airport  workers would need twice  as many houses.’  Gatwick serves 197 destinations compared with 163 destinations from Heathrow – largely holiday destinations.  It is the UK’s largest short haul airport serving 145 destinations, excluding UK, compared with 73 destinations from Heathrow. It is the UK’s largest domestic airport  serving 12 destinations compared with 7 destinations from Heathrow.  A 1979 legal agreement with West Sussex Council prohibits Gatwick from constructing a new runway before 2019.  Gatwick was sold in December 2009 for £1.5billion to the consortium Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP).

 


 


see also

Gatwick 2nd runway – GACC explains the 10 key reasons why not

October 22, 2012

GACC – Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign – has set out clearly the reasons why a 2nd runway at Gatwick should not be built. First, the runway would be only 400 yards from homes in Crawley, with the airport boundary just 100 yards away. The noise and pollution for those residents can only be imagined. The impact of an airport the size of Heathrow at Gatwick would have immense consequences on the area, in terms of noise, large inward migration of labour, additional housing, the urbanisation of rural areas, not to mention loss of peace an quiet. The runway shown on the Gatwick airport plan is too close to the existing runway to allow space for a new terminal and for aircraft to manoeuvre safely on the ground. Gatwick can never accommodate 4 runways, which would be needed if a vast hub airport was regarded as necessary for the UK. The expansion of air travel on a scale to require new runways would be ruled out by the UK’s climate change targets. The forecast expansion of aviation is largely due to aviation fuel not being taxed and air tickets not being subject to VAT (APD is small by comparison).    Click here to view full story…

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Controversial Gatwick second runway

  • Bosses announce plans for second runway, which could be built after  2019
  • But an action group has vowed to ‘defeat’ the proposal, claiming the impact on the  region could be dire
  • Gatwick chiefs say there it is  an ‘affordable,  practical’ alternative to expansion at other London airports

By Ray Massey, Transport Editor (Mail)

17 October  2012

Gatwick Airport bosses flew into a storm with  protesters today when they announced plans for a controversial second runway at  Britain’s second biggest airport.

It could double capacity at the West Sussex  airport to 70million. It currently handles 34million passengers a year flying to  200 destinations in 90 countries.

Under a legal agreement made in 1979, the  airport cannot build a second runway before 2019 – and decision makers at  Gatwick insist they will honour that agreement.

Gatwick's future? If these proposals for a second runway are approved, the number of annual flights at the airport will soar from 250,000 to 500,000Gatwick’s future? If these proposals for a second runway  are approved, the number of annual flights at the airport will soar from 250,000  to 500,000

Twice the flights: Gatwick's capacity could double to 70million if the plans are approved. Protesters say the second runway will hit the region's infrastructure hardTwice the flights: Gatwick’s capacity could double to  70million if the plans are approved. Protesters say the second runway will hit  the region’s infrastructure hard

But after that all bets are off and Gatwick  bosses say they are beginning detailed work now on the option for an additional  new runway, which could be built in the next decade.

They say a second runway at Gatwick is a  better option to boost Britain’s aviation than a third runway at Heathrow, the  expansion of Stansted or a multi-billion ‘Boris Island’ option of a new airport  in the middle of the Thames Estuary, as favoured by  London Mayor Boris  Johnson and others.

But the Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign  (GACC) has blasted the plans – and claimed the announcement was being made to  drive up the value of the airport’s owners.

GACC chairman Brendon Sewill said: ‘We have  always been  totally opposed to a new runway on environmental grounds, and have  had  massive support from across Surrey, Sussex and west Kent.

‘We have been supported by all the local MPs  and all the county,  district and parish councils in a wide area.

‘If necessary, we will  resume the battle. We  will fight it all the way. We’ve done so before.  We will do so  again.’

 

Brendon Sewill of the Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign has vowed to fight the second runway. Villagers in nearby Charlwood fear environmental damage, heavier traffic, more noise and plummeting house pricesBrendon Sewill of the Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign  has vowed to fight the second runway. Villagers in nearby Charlwood fear  environmental damage, heavier traffic, more noise and plummeting house prices

The GACC also released a statement  that  said: ‘We stand ready, if need be, to launch a massive campaign to  defeat any  new runway plan, as we have defeated such plans in the past.

‘It would mean twice as many planes in the  sky, twice the noise, twice the  local pollution, twice the number of  airport-related cars, and twice the climate change damage. Twice as many airport  workers would need twice  as many houses.’

Alternative: Gatwick claims the plan is a superior option to proposed expansion at Heathrow or Stansted or a new site in central LondonAlternative: Gatwick claims the plan is a superior  option to proposed expansion at Heathrow or Stansted or a new site in central  London

Gatwick was owned by Heathrow operator  BAA  until it sold the Sussex airport in December 2009 for £1.5billion to the  consortium Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) – owners of London  City Airport – following a highly critical report by the Competition  Commission attacking  BAA’s dominance in the South East.

The Gatwick second runway option will be  submitted as part of a  ‘masterplan’ to the Government-appointed aviation  commission, led by  former Financial Services Authority (FSA) chief Sir Howard  Davies, which will make its full report in summer 2015.

Gatwick chief executive Stewart  Wingate  defended the plan, saying a new runway at the airport could be  ‘affordable and  practical’ and was a better option than new runways at  Heathrow or  Stansted.

He confirmed that a second runway would  double passenger numbers to 70,000 and annual flights from 250,000 to  500,000.

It would take four to five years from August  2019 to build the second runway and associated terminal  buildings – meaning the  earliest it could open would be about 2023.

Mr Wingate told the Daily Mail that  GIP,  which owns 42 per cent of Gatwick, had been ‘quite clear’ when it  bought the  airport three years ago that it would keep its holding for a  limited period of  between five and 10 years before selling.

That could take it up to 2019 when work on a  new runway could begin.

Mr Wingate said: ’This was a decision by all  the shareholders for the long-term interests of Gatwick.’

Plans for the future will evaluate various  runway options and assess key requirements, including environmental, surface  access and economic impacts.

It will also look at environmental issues  including noise and air quality impacts on local communities.

Gatwick chiefs believe that the additional  capacity, flexibility and ‘resilience’, or the ability to operate without long  delays and cancellations caused by lack of staff or poor weather, that could be  provided by a new runway at Gatwick will help to ensure that London’s airports  provide south-east England and the UK with the connectivity needed.

Bosses said that at least for the rest of  this decade, London’s airports will be relying on their existing physical  capacity.

Gatwick’s submission to the Davies Commission  will also include a detailed evaluation of how Gatwick’s existing single runway  capacity can be maximised to contribute to the short-term capacity needs for  London and the UK.

Mr Wingate said: ‘I believe a new runway at  Gatwick could be affordable, practical and give passengers a greater choice of  routes to key markets.

‘A new runway will allow Gatwick to compete  and grow, increasing the choice available to passengers today. We have the  space, capability and access to financial resources.’

He noted: ‘Over the last three years we have  transformed the airport, invested around £650 million and have a strong track  record for delivering key routes to growth markets.

‘However, we must now look to the future when  Gatwick will become full and outline its long-term role in ensuring London has  an efficient and resilient airport system that creates the crucial connectivity  London and the UK needs.’

He insisted: ‘There are clear practical  advantages of a new runway at Gatwick. When compared with a third runway at  Heathrow, we would have a significantly lower environmental impact whilst adding  significantly more capacity.

‘Stansted is half empty today, we already  have much better surface transport links and feel our business case will be much  stronger.’

Taking a swipe at the ‘Boris Island’ options  for the Thames Estuary Mr Wingate noted: ‘As for the Estuary airport there are  major questions on affordability, environmental issues and whether they are  deliverable.

‘The process of evaluating the runway options  will be complex. I am committed to undertaking a comprehensive and in-depth  assessment that considers not only the economic benefits but also the  environmental impacts. We will be consulting with our key stakeholders  throughout the process.’

A statement from Gatwick Airport insisted:  ‘Our submission to the Commission will be consistent with Gatwick’s commitment  to the 1979 legal agreement with West Sussex Council. That agreement prohibits  Gatwick from constructing a new runway before 2019.’

The Government’s failure to consider  Gatwick  expansion a decade ago because of this agreement forced  ministers to re-run a  previous consultation on airport expansion  following a legal  challenge.

Baroness Jo Valentine, chief executive of London  First, also praised the plans.

She said: ‘Anything that could increase  runway capacity at London’s airports is good news for passengers and for the UK  economy.

‘If the UK is going to remain a competitive  economy, we need more flights to growing and emerging markets. This announcement  from London Gatwick broadens the debate on how we can achieve that and offers  the potential for further competition and greater choice for  passengers.’

Officials at Heathrow Airport added there  voice to those objecting to the second runway.

A spokesman said: ‘The UK is not short of the  point to point capacity  provided by airports like Gatwick – there is already  plenty of spare  point to point capacity at Stansted, Birmingham and Luton.

‘What the UK is short of is hub airport  capacity. Hub airports use transfer  passengers to pool demand from different  countries – and all the  evidence suggests this is the only way to support the  frequent and  direct long haul routes that are vital to business and  trade.’

Fears: People living near the airport are worried that they will be forced to move, but aviation bosses say the plans are practicalFears: People living near the airport are worried that  they will be forced to move, but aviation bosses say the plans are practical

Major scheme: Gatwick is the UK's second largest airport and the busiest single-runway airport in the worldMajor scheme: Gatwick is the UK’s second largest airport  and the busiest single-runway airport in the world

 

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GATWICK: A GATEWAY TO THE  WORLD

Gatwick Airport is the UK’s second largest  airport and the busiest single-runway airport in the world.

It serves around 200 destinations in 90  countries for around 34 million passengers a year on short- and long-haul  point-to-point services.

A second runway would double passenger number  to around 70million a year.

Gatwick generates around 23,000 airport jobs  and a further 13,000 jobs through related activities.

The airport is 28 miles south of London and  owned by a group of international investment funds, of which Global  Infrastructure Partners is the largest shareholder.

Gatwick serves more destinations than any  other UK airport flying to 197 destinations compared with 163 destinations from  Heathrow (Source: OAG data).

It is the UK’s largest short haul airport  serving 145 destinations, excluding UK, compared with 73 destinations from  Heathrow (Source: based on peak week summer 12 OAF scheduled data).

It is the UK’s largest domestic airport  serving 12 destinations compared with seven destinations from Heathrow (Source:  based on peak week summer 12 OAF scheduled data).

A 1979 legal agreement with West Sussex  Council prohibits Gatwick from constructing a new runway before  2019.

The Government’s failure to consider  Gatwick’s expansion a decade ago because of this agreement forced ministers to  re-run a previous consultation on airport expansion following a legal  challenge.

Gatwick was owned by Heathrow operator BAA  until it sold the Sussex airport in December 2009 for £1.5billion to the  consortium Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) – owners of London City Airport – following a highly critical report by the Competition Commission attacking  BAA’s dominance in the South East.

Gatwick is built on the site of an ancient  manor house which became home to a racecourse in the 19th century. In the late  1920s land next to the racecourse was used as an aerodrome and in the 1930s  became home to the Surrey Aero Club. In 1933: The Air Ministry approved  commercial flights from Gatwick.

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