Gatwick second runway approved after Court of Appeal rejects campaigners
£2.2 billion scheme will add 100,000 flights a year from 2030, affecting residents in Crawley and Horley
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Gatwick Airport will begin construction on its second runway after the Court of Appeal rejected a legal challenge by local campaign groups. The decision, issued on 4 August 2026, removes the final legal obstacle to the £2.2 billion project, which Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander approved in September 2025.
The scheme involves converting Gatwick’s existing emergency runway for routine use by short-haul passenger aircraft. Once operational, expected by 2030, the airport will handle an additional 100,000 flights annually. Gatwick currently operates as one of the world’s busiest single-runway airports.
Gatwick expansion approved: 100,000 more flights a year from 2030
High Court rejects final legal challenge, clearing way for £2.2bn runway project in West Sussex
What the decision means for residents
Residents in Crawley and Horley will see increased air traffic, with 13 million more passengers expected each year. The government has stated the expansion will support economic growth, though campaigners argue it will worsen noise, air pollution, and congestion on local roads and public transport.
Peter Barclay, chair of the Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign, said the ruling was disappointing. He told *The Guardian* that approving airport expansions would not boost the economy but would instead lock in aviation’s climate and pollution impacts. Barclay added that the decision would further burden local communities.
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It is time for governments to wake up and realise that saying yes to the expansion of any and every airport will not kickstart the economy... It will further lock in aviation’s climate, noise and air pollution impacts, increase congestion on roads and public transport and blight local communities.
Peter Barclay, chair of Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign
Government and Gatwick respond
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander described the court ruling as a “major milestone” for Gatwick and local communities. She said the expansion would provide holidaymakers with greater choice and strengthen global links, helping to make the UK a more attractive destination for investment.
Alexander also highlighted the government’s commitment to sustainable aviation. She said more than £219 million would be invested in green fuel production to reduce emissions from flying. The Department for Transport has framed the expansion as compatible with the UK’s climate goals.
Gatwick Chief Executive Pierre-Hugues Schmit said the ruling ends an eight-year planning and legal process. He told *The Guardian* that the airport’s expansion plans had been “carefully tested and scrutinised on multiple occasions.” Schmit confirmed that construction would begin shortly, with the runway expected to open by 2030.
What happens next
Gatwick Airport will now proceed with construction, targeting completion by 2030. The airport has not yet published a detailed timeline for works, but residents can expect preparatory activity to begin within months. Campaign groups have not indicated whether they will pursue further legal action.
The Department for Transport will monitor the project’s compliance with environmental conditions. Residents concerned about noise or pollution can submit complaints through the airport’s community engagement portal or to their local council.
Questions this report answers
+How many extra flights will Gatwick’s second runway allow?
The runway will add 100,000 flights a year to Gatwick’s schedule. This increase is expected to accommodate 13 million more passengers annually, starting from 2030 when the project is due to open.
+Who approved the Gatwick runway expansion?
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander approved the £2.2 billion scheme in September 2025. The Court of Appeal dismissed a legal challenge against the decision on 4 August 2026, allowing construction to proceed.
+What are the environmental concerns about the Gatwick expansion?
Campaigners argue the government did not properly assess the scheme’s climate impact. They say the expansion will worsen noise, air pollution, and congestion in Crawley and Horley, despite government pledges to invest £219 million in green fuel production.
+When will the Gatwick second runway open?
Gatwick Airport expects the runway to be operational by 2030. Construction is set to begin shortly after the Court of Appeal’s ruling on 4 August 2026, though a detailed timeline has not been published.
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