Gatwick Boss: New Runway Is Only Real Option

Expansion of Gatwick is the only "deliverable" solution to capacity problems at UK airports, according to the airport’s chief executive Stewart Wingate.

In an interview with Sky News, Mr Wingate said that a new runway at Gatwick offered a cheaper, quicker and better alternative for plane passengers than a Heathrow expansion.

Mr Wingate said that even if Heathrow got the nod over Gatwick for a new runway, there could be intense opposition to that expansion, causing long delays and an eventual reappraisal of the Gatwick bid.

Pointing to Heathrow's location and related environmental concerns, Mr Wingate said: “Time and time again Heathrow (expansion) is blocked. Gatwick is the only deliverable solution.”

He added that if the UK government was serious about introducing a new runway in England, then they should support the Gatwick project and plan to have it up and running by 2025.

Mr Wingate insisted that if Heathrow was eventually expanded at the expense of Gatwick it would only alleviate the major capacity problems at Heathrow and would make little difference to Gatwick which is already full to capacity during peak times.

He said there was a compelling case for growth at his airport.

"Gatwick expansion will deliver more passengers to more destinations and provide the economic boost the UK needs at a fraction of the environmental impact of Heathrow.

"Our plan requires no taxpayer funding, can be delivered quickly, and would enhance competition. The UK will benefit from a strong network of competing airports which will keep fares low while boosting service and innovation."

In its full-year results, Gatwick Airport revealed that it had seen the busiest year in its history with 38.7 million passengers, an increase of 2.8 million passengers on the previous year.

During one day in August there were 906 flights through Gatwick - a world record for a single-runway airport.

Mr Wingate said the airport would continue to see passenger numbers rise and was well on schedule to exceed 40 million passengers over the next 12 months.

In its results the company also reported increased turnover, up 7.5% to £638m, and a pre-tax profit of £83.8m up from £57.7m in 2013.