Sadiq Khan Gives Backing For Airport to be Picked For Expansion
London Mayor Calls on PM to Sanction Gatwick Runway
20th July 2016 – Crawley News
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By Thomas Mackintosh
thomas.mackintosh@crawleynews.co.uk
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has called on the new Prime Minister Theresa May to allow a second runway to be built at Gatwick Airport.
Pledging his support: London Mayor Sadiq Khan at Gatwick Airport last week |
Expaned: How Gatwick Airport would look with its two runways if approved |
He visited the airport last Friday morning as it was announced that an extra £200 million is being spent on improvements at the airport.
While there, Mr Khan called for a final decision on airport expansion in the south east to be made a top priority by Mrs May and urged her to choose Gatwick rather than Heathrow for expansion.
He said: “Gatwick is the front door to London for millions of visitors to our city and I salute their decision to spend another £200 million on improvements to the airport.
Fantastic
“They have put together a formidable plan that is a fantastic display of their confidence in London.
“The new Prime Minister has a very important decision to make regarding new airport capacity, and I urge her to rule as swiftly as possible in favour of a second runway at Gatwick, which would
bring substantial economic benefits.”
The £200 million increase in investment will be spent “transforming, revitalising and improving” the existing airport – and will bring the total investment over the coming five years to £1.2
billion.
The total invested in improving the airport between 2009 and 2021 will be £2.5 billion.
Some of the projects identified for between 2016 and 2021 announced last Friday include:
- Expansion of both the North Terminal and South Terminal departure lounges
- Upgrading shopping facilities
- Expansion of the North Terminal and South Terminal immigration halls
- More aircraft parking stands
Since coming into private ownership in 2009, Gatwick has grown from welcoming 31 million passengers a year to the UK to 41 million.
Gatwick Airport boss Stewart Wingate said: ‘As Gatwick rapidly approaches full capacity, this increased investment paves the way for our second runway project.
‘As we enter a new era for Britain, we must. be agile and decisive as a country to show the world that we are open for business. “It is now clear that only Gatwick can deliver the runway Britain needs to boost international competitiveness and trading links at a time when it is most needed, and we can do that before 2025.
“This investment will also make sure that we can continue Gatwick’s record growth and transformation. “Our total investment since coming into private ownership now stands at £2.5 billion as we operate the world’s most efficient single runway airport.”