Gatwick plans new transport solutions for a second runway

Gatwick Airport is working on new plans to address road congestion and support its proposal for a second runway. The government previously indicated it might approve the expansion, but with conditions regarding noise and public transport use. Currently, about 44% of passengers travel to Gatwick by public transport. The government wants that number raised to 54%, which Gatwick considers unrealistic. The airport plans to submit alternative proposals by April 24 to manage road traffic as passenger numbers could rise to 75 million with a second runway. Gatwick's CEO, Stewart Wingate, emphasized the need for clear government support to move forward with the investment in infrastructure. He noted that meeting noise requirements is progressing well but the public transport target poses significant challenges. Wingate expressed concerns that if the public transport usage falls below the 54% target, it would hinder their ability to utilize the new infrastructure. He highlighted that many aspects of transportation depend on external factors, such as train companies and government policies. The airport remains hopeful that its proposals will satisfy the government's requirements and lead to final approval. Gatwick reported a profit of £340 million for 2024, with revenues of £11.3 billion, reflecting a 10% increase from the previous year. The number of passengers also rose by 6% to 43.2 million.