Gatwick Airport expansion decision nears on £2.2 billion plan

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is set to announce her decision on Gatwick Airport's expansion plans, which aim to bring its emergency runway into routine use, potentially adding around 100,000 flights annually. In her address to aviation leaders, she expressed her belief in airport expansion while acknowledging the need to balance economic benefits with environmental concerns. The £2.2 billion project would involve moving the emergency runway 12 meters north and upgrading airport facilities, with construction possibly starting this year. However, the proposal faces significant opposition from campaigners worried about the impact on air quality in the already polluted area surrounding the airport. Critics have organized rallies to voice their concerns, emphasizing the potential deterioration of local air quality as highlighted by the Climate Change Committee. The decision on Gatwick's expansion is part of a larger consideration of airport expansions in the UK, including Luton and Heathrow.