Gatwick Airport to plan new runway even if Heathrow wins

Gatwick Airport will continue preparations to expand, even if Heathrow gets the go-ahead for a third runway, according to a spokesman.

The Davies Commission has already recommended Heathrow as the most suitable site for a new runway, though Theresa May has delayed announcing the Government's final decision until 2017.

MPs are expected to vote on the chosen scheme within a fortnight of the announcement, to strengthen the chosen project's case.

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But a Gatwick spokesman said he believed that even if Heathrow got the green light the project would never get off the ground because of environmental obstacles, legal challenges and concerns over the cost of upgrading the airport's transport links.

"Gatwick would be standing ready to deliver the new (second) runway as, should Heathrow get the green light, it is likely to fail as it has several times before," the unnamed spokesman told the Press Association.

"A decision on next steps will be taken after the Government announcement on new runway capacity. While Gatwick does not rule out launching legal action, other groups have already said they would if Heathrow expansion is green-lighted."

A Gatwick spokesman told Sky News: "We are not going to stop making our case to government, whatever they decide."

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The Airport Operators Association (AOA) also weighed-in to the long-running saga, insisting an early decision would affirm Britain remains committed to trading with the rest of the world following voters' decision to leave the European Union.

"Ministers insist that in spite of the UK's impending departure from the EU, the country remains outward-looking and open for business," AOA chief executive Darren Caplan told Business Travel News.

He added: "Nothing could better demonstrate they mean that than a decision that would ensure the UK gets the additional capacity it so vitally needs if the country is to maintain and enhance its position as one of the world's leading and best-connected economies." 

Some 67% of MPs support a third runway, according to a poll published by Heathrow on 13 September.

But environmental campaigners remain fiercely opposed to the plans, warning a new runway cannot go ahead without breaking legal limits on pollution and carbon emissions.

Zac Goldsmith, Conservative MP for Richmond Park and North Kingston, has said he will stand down if Heathrow is expanded.