London, Yiannis Haniotakis

Gatwick Airport in London has received the green light for a second landing – take -off runway, which will offer the opportunity for up to 100,000 additional flights a year when completed.

Transport Minister Heidi Alexander has approved the plan of £ 2.2 billion, with the British government believing that the airport expansion is critical to ensuring economic growth.

A government source said according to the Times: “With capacity restrictions blocking businesses, trade and tourism, this is self -evident for development. This government has taken unprecedented measures to achieve this, navigating an unnecessary complex planning system, which our reforms will simplify in the future. It is possible that airplanes take off from a new full landing/take -off runway in Gatwick before the next general elections. ”

The project involves moving the northern emergency corridor 12 meters Further to it by allowing it to be used to take off and landing of narrow jerk aircraft, the construction of roller coats, the expansion of both terminals and the installation of new gates. The projects will allow the two corridors to have enough space to meet international standards.

The project does not include demolition of residential property and could put into operation by 2030. The new corridor is expected to add 14,000 jobs and up to £ 1 billion to additional economic activity.

In the meantime, environmental organizations express their opposition to extension plans, arguing that “Economic arguments for the expansion of airports is overly overrated” and accusing the government of “It gives priority to the profit of the few to the detriment of all of us.”

Gatwick is the busiest airport of a runway in the world, with a flight to takes off every 55 seconds.