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Gatwick leads in bid for new runway as estuary airport ruled out

Gatwick control tower

Gatwick put itself in first place this week as best choice for a new runway to increase capacity in London and the South East following the Airports Commission’s rejection of proposals for an estuary airport.

The decision suggested that a mix of capacity rather than one single hub would best meet the needs of the capital and the south east. And Gatwick pointed out that it could have a new runway built, paid for and operational five years ahead of the 2030 target date the commission has been working to.

“While we recognise the need for a hub airport, we believe this should be part of an effective system of competing airports to meet the needs of a widely spread and diverse market like London’s,”  said Airports Commission chair Sir Howard Davies in the report dropping the estuary option from the shortlist.

An extra runway at Gatwick or new runway or runway extension at Heathrow which is pushing its hub claims are now the choice for the extra capacity needed for London’s airports.

According to Gatwick airport chief executive Steward Wingate Gatwick “was the only option left on the table that could be delivered with more certainty than either of the Heathrow options.”

Wingate said: “We believe Gatwick has the strongest case. It can be delivered without the significant environmental impacts expansion at Heathrow would inflict on London. It can be delivered faster than any other option, and at low cost and low risk."

Gatwick's transport adviser Hugh Sumner said the airport presented the UK with the best case by providing more connections and better value for money. 

“Davies will deliver a solution,” he said. “But the issue for any inbound government is realising that this is a decision that then needs to be taken. 

"Gatwick is the right solution and does not require any public subsidy. But it also has a better risk profile (in terms of planning and cost certainty) and so it will therefore be swifter and cheaper – it is a better solution that can be delivered faster.” Hugh Sumner

He added: “A brave early decision is necessary by any incoming government and if that is made swiftly we can have a new runway operating by 2025 – generating returns on investment earlier.”

“But the test is two-fold,” he pointed out. “Is it the right solution and can you move forward fast enough? Well Gatwick is the right solution and does not require any public subsidy. But it also has a better risk profile (in terms of planning and cost certainty) and so it will therefore be swifter and cheaper – it is a better solution that can be delivered faster.”

Sumner, whose last job was to mastermind the London 2012 Olympic transport strategy, said that the decision by Davies to rule out an estuary option was welcomed and an inevitable response to an idea that was deliverable.  He also pointed out Gatwick’s plans did not see Heathrow closing but simply added to the nation’s aviation solution to an evolving market that is heading away from the hub concept.

“The whole airline market is changing rapidly and changing dramatically,” he explained. “Low cost long haul flights is where all the airlines are headed and Gatwick is a much better airport in terms of delivering the fast turnaround and high utilisation.”

He remained confident in the Davies Commission and its ability to get to a decision by the next General Election in May 2015 folowing the Autumn round of consultation.

Wingate said: "This is an important juncture in the aviation debate because now Britain’s choice is clear; expand Gatwick and support genuine competition, lower fares and greater choice for passengers or expand Heathrow and return to the stale monopoly of the past and watch the cost of going on holiday, travelling for business and exporting goods and service go up. 

“Furthermore, expanding Gatwick will ensure the UK is served by two successful world class airports. It can liberate hub capacity at Heathrow and open up the opportunities for affordable long haul travel to emerging markets for the benefit of everyone, made possible by new generation of aircraft such as the Dreamliner.”

If you would like to contact Antony Oliver about this, or any other story, please email antony.oliver@infrastructure-intelligence.com.