Change of ownership at Gatwick should not mean any additional runway

Responding to a question from East Grinstead Councillor Jean Glynn, at the South East Liberal Democrat Regional Conference on Saturday, Norman Baker, MP for Lewes, restated Liberal Democrat opposition to any expansion of runway capacity at Gatwick Airport following the change of ownership of the airport.

Gatwick Airport is the 2nd largest airport in the UK and is the world's busiest single runway airport with 80 airlines operating to 200 destinations. The airport, in line with the requirements of current national air transport policy, continues to safeguard an area of land for a possible second runway which could be built after planning restrictions expire in 2019.

However bearing in mind likely future environmental constraints Norman Baker thought it unlikely any additional runway would be built. However he welcomed the change of ownership as an opportunity to bring new investment at Gatwick, to improve passenger facilities and for the airport to provide real competition with Heathrow, for example by transferring additional destinations to Gatwick.

Norman Baker restated Liberal Democrat opposition to any increase in airport runway capacity in the South East on environmental grounds.