Gatwick Northern Runway expansion clears Court of Appeal challenge

London Gatwick’s plans to bring its existing Northern Runway into routine use have cleared a significant legal hurdle after the Court of Appeal rejected a challenge brought by local campaigners.

The ruling removes a major obstacle to the airport’s expansion plans, which are designed to increase capacity and enable tens of thousands of additional aircraft movements each year.

Court battle concludes over second runway

The Court of Appeal has refused campaign group Communities Against Gatwick Noise Emissions permission to appeal, ending the threat of drawn out legal battles over the project. 

Under the plans, Gatwick will move the existing northern runway 12 metres further to the north, so that it can be used for routine aircraft movements rather than serve primarily as a standby runway. 

Gatwick expects the expanded operation to begin in 2030, adding capacity for an additional 100,000 flights per year. 

14,000 new jobs and a £1 billion economic boost

Pierre-Hugues Schmit, chief executive of the airport, said: “Today’s Court of Appeal decision to comprehensively reject the legal challenges brought by the two campaign groups opposing London Gatwick’s Northern Runway Project, confirms, yet again, that the September 2025 decision by the Secretary of State for Transport to approve the Northern Runway Project was taken properly and lawfully. 

“We are also very pleased that this ruling, from senior Court of Appeal Judges, brings to an end an eight-year planning and legal process which has carefully tested and scrutinised every aspect of our expansion plans on multiple occasions.”

Schmit said the project would bring thousands of new jobs and millions of pounds of investment to the airport and surrounding area. 

“The Northern Runway project will deliver significant business, tourism and trade benefits for the UK, including 14,000 new jobs, a £1 billion boost to the economy every year and a comprehensive employment, skills and business strategy designed to bring maximum benefits to local people and the Gatwick region,” he said.  

Strengthening global links to the UK 

Heidi Alexander, the transport secretary, said that the expansion would strengthen links between the UK and the rest of the world. 

Gatwick has been successful in courting a number of foreign airlines that have struggled to secure slots at Heathrow.

The airport has attracted several Chinese and African carriers, having recently welcomed Air Zimbabwe – making it the carrier’s sole point of entry into the UK.

”This is a major milestone for Gatwick and for local communities, with expansion unlocking investment and creating thousands of new jobs,” Alexander said. 

“Around 13 million more passengers and 100,000 more flights will give holidaymakers greater choice and strengthen global links to help make the UK one of the most attractive places in the world to invest.

“We’ll back expansion that supports growth and our climate goals. To drive forward sustainable change, we’re also investing over £219 million for green fuel production to cut emissions from flying and secure the future of aviation.”