Table of Contents
Britain “risks losing its competitive advantage” if a second runway at Gatwick is not approved, ministers have warned.
In a letter seen by the Mail, more than 50 business groups urged Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander to support plans to use the northern runway full-time.
Currently, the extra runway in central West Sussex is used for taxiing and emergencies only.
But with permission for regular use, the airport could introduce more long-haul routes, creating 14,000 jobs and a £1bn annual boost to the economy, the letter added.
‘Competitive advantage’: Gatwick’s extra runway currently used only for taxiing and emergencies
This would provide “a significant boost to the economy by helping to support new jobs, tourism and trade”, according to a letter organized by business group Gatwick Diamond Initiative (GDI).
It was backed by 55 signatories, including the Confederation of British Industry. GDI president Brett North said approval of the runway would be a “vital step” for the future economic growth of the southeast.
DIY INVESTMENT PLATFORMS
![Gatwick's second runway is 'VITAL' for UK growth 7 Easy investing and ready-to-use portfolios](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/William-Hill-owner-takes-10m-hit-over-UK-punters-football.png)
AJ Bell
![Gatwick's second runway is 'VITAL' for UK growth 7 Easy investing and ready-to-use portfolios](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/William-Hill-owner-takes-10m-hit-over-UK-punters-football.png)
AJ Bell
Easy investing and ready-to-use portfolios
![Gatwick's second runway is 'VITAL' for UK growth 9 Free Fund Trading and Investment Ideas](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/1729244496_548_William-Hill-owner-takes-10m-hit-over-UK-punters-football.jpg)
Hargreaves Lansdown
![Gatwick's second runway is 'VITAL' for UK growth 9 Free Fund Trading and Investment Ideas](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/1729244496_548_William-Hill-owner-takes-10m-hit-over-UK-punters-football.jpg)
Hargreaves Lansdown
Free Fund Trading and Investment Ideas
![Gatwick's second runway is 'VITAL' for UK growth 11 Fixed fee investing from £4.99 per month](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/1729244564_207_William-Hill-owner-takes-10m-hit-over-UK-punters-football.png)
interactive inverter
![Gatwick's second runway is 'VITAL' for UK growth 11 Fixed fee investing from £4.99 per month](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/1729244564_207_William-Hill-owner-takes-10m-hit-over-UK-punters-football.png)
interactive inverter
Fixed fee investing from £4.99 per month
![Gatwick's second runway is 'VITAL' for UK growth 13 Get £200 back in trading fees](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/1729244638_494_William-Hill-owner-takes-10m-hit-over-UK-punters-football.png)
sax
![Gatwick's second runway is 'VITAL' for UK growth 13 Get £200 back in trading fees](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/1729244638_494_William-Hill-owner-takes-10m-hit-over-UK-punters-football.png)
sax
Get £200 back in trading fees
![Gatwick's second runway is 'VITAL' for UK growth 15 Free trading and no account commission](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Gatwicks-second-runway-is-VITAL-for-UK-growth.png )
Trade 212
![Gatwick's second runway is 'VITAL' for UK growth 15 Free trading and no account commission](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Gatwicks-second-runway-is-VITAL-for-UK-growth.png )
Trade 212
Free trading and no account commission
Affiliate links: If you purchase a This is Money product you may earn a commission. These offers are chosen by our editorial team as we think they are worth highlighting. This does not affect our editorial independence.