The government today announced that it 'is of the opinion' to approve a second runway on Gatwick Airport.
In a written statement to MPs, Heidi Alexander supported the broad principle to allow the emergency track to be used in routine use.
The transport secretary, however, expanded the deadline for a final decision until October and said that there were still some details that had to be taken into account.
Mrs. Alexander was heavily suggested on approval and emphasized that she is not 'flight-sharing Eco-Warrior' and 'believes in the expansion of the airport'.
Despite the fact that the net zero secretary Ed Miliband sounds a much skeptical tone about the airports that are praised by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
Mrs Reeves has argued that expansion of locations such as Heathrow is essential for economic growth, but Mr. Miliband has emphasized that it can only happen if the goals of the UK carbon emissions are achieved.
The government today announced that it 'is of the opinion' to approve a second runway on Gatwick Airport
In a written declaration to MPs, Heidi Alexander supported the broad principle to use the emergency track in routinely use
The heavy hint comes despite the fact that the net zero secretary Ed Miliband (photo) sounds a lot of skeptical tone over the airports, praised by Chancellor Rachel Reeves
Mrs. Alexander said: 'This statement confirms that today I have issued a' minded to approval 'letter for the Gatwick Airport Northern Runway Development Constent Order (DCO) under the ACT 2008 planning.
'In view of the report of the research body, for the first time recommends an alternative DCO (development assignment order) that includes a series of controls on the operation of the scheme and not all provisions have been considered during the investigation, I give a minded to approve a decision that offers some additional time about the provisions prior to a definitive decision.
'The deadline for the final decision has now been extended until October 27, 2025 (an extension of 9 months).
“The decision to set a new deadline is without compromising on the decision to give the development of development for the above application.”
Earlier this week, Alexander spoke with a meeting of aviation leaders and said that there are 'capacity problems, especially at airports in the southeast'.
She revealed that Gatwick's development tutor application 'literally on my desk' stands for a decision.
That would enable the West Sussex Airport to use its emergency track routinely and to open the space for 100,000 more flights a year.
In her speech during the annual dinner of Trade Body Airlines UK in Central London, Mrs. Alexander said: 'Some can say that the current national debate about the expansion of the airport emphasizes a fundamental tension between the growth of the economy, while the environment protects.
“I say we both have to do.”
She added: 'I am not a kind of flight-swinging Eco-Warrioror.
“I like flying. I've always done it. '
In addition to making a decision about Gatwick, Mrs. Alexander is also obliged to determine whether the Luton Airport expansion plan can continue.
In the meantime, Heathrow Airport is developing detailed plans for his third Runway project.
Mrs. Alexander said that her job as a 'decision maker' about the expansion of the airport is to 'find a balance' between the potential benefits of jobs, trade and tourism, with 'difficult questions', such as whether the regulations will be compatible with the climate of the UK and the air quality represents, or noise'.
She added: “This government believes in increasing airport capacity. We are ambitious for the sector.
“But these strict criteria must be met if we want to balance today's needs with tomorrow's supplies.”
Gatwick's £ 2.2 billion private financed project would move the Emergency Runway 12 meters north.
The plan also includes the renovation and replacement of existing taxi paths – which connect runways with terminals, hangars and other facilities – the expansion of both terminals and installing new aircraft gates.
Road connections with both terminals would be improved, paid by Gatwick, with viaducts to separate local traffic from vehicles traveling from or from the airport.
A £ 250 million adjustment of the airport train station was completed in November 2023.
Extra parking, offices and hotels would also be provided.
The airport says that its 'kick' schedule is ready and that construction could start this year.
It hopes that the improved runway will be operational towards the end of the decade.
Local campaigners who were against the expansion of Gatwick have expressed concern about the impact on surface transport, noise, housing determination and waste water treatment.
But the airport insists that the 'complete and thorough assessments' of those issues has carried out.
The emergency job is currently used as a taxiway or when the main job is closed due to maintenance or incidents.
Rachel Reeves recently used a big speech to set the expansion of the airport in the center of its new economic growth plan. Depicted, the impression of an artist of the development of Heathrow
According to the plan, the emergency track would be used for the departure of narrow planes such as Airbus A320S and Boeing 737S.
If a two-runway airport would enable Gatwick to add around 10-15 flights per hour to peak periods.
As a result, his total annual number of flights would rise from 280,000 to 380,000.
It is expected that the annual figures of passengers will increase from 45 million to 75 million.
Gatwick says that his plans would create £ 1 billion a year in economic benefits and generate another 14,000 jobs.
