Gatwick fights back at Airports Commission final report on expansion

Gatwick Airport has issued its response to the Airports Commission final report on airport expansion believing shortcomings have led to a flawed conclusion.

Gatwick Airport has outlined its response to the Commission’s final report which was release on the 1^st July 2015. The Airports Commission report stated that “each of the three schemes shortlisted was considered a credible option for expansion, capable of delivering valuable enhancements to the UK’s aviation capacity and connectivity.” However it favoured expansion of Heathrow runway capacity ahead of Gatwick. The report is currently under Government review before a final decision is made.

Gatwick now plans to engage with every level of Government, including writing to the Prime Minister, to highlight its concerns over the reports data and analysis. Gatwick’s Initial response to the Airports Commission’s recommendation report states ‘Our view has always been that the assessments on which the Commission’s conclusions are based must be thorough, balanced, fair and well evidenced. We believe that the Commission’s report falls short of this standard in a number of very important respects. As a result, the many strengths of Gatwick and the many challenges of Heathrow are both underplayed, leading to a conclusion which we believe is wrong.’ Gatwick believes many aspects of the airport’s strengths have been understated including under-forecasting passenger traffic, the economic benefits, passenger benefits via the long haul market, air quality and the lesser impact of noise pollution compared to Heathrow. Gatwick also believes the Commission downplays delivery risks and financial challenges at Heathrow compared to Gatwick.

Planned second runway development at Gatwick Airport

Chair of the Gatwick Airport Board Sir Roy McNulty said: “Our view has always been that the assessments on which the Commission’s conclusions are based must be thorough, balanced, fair and well evidenced.

“We believe that the Commission’s report falls short of this standard in a number of very important respects. As a result, the many strengths of Gatwick and the many challenges of Heathrow are underplayed, leading to a conclusion which we believe is flawed.

“The Airports Commission has made its recommendation and it is now for the Government to decide.

“We are confident that when they do make their decision they will choose Gatwick as the best option for the economy and the environment, and – most importantly – after decades of delay the option that is actually deliverable.”

Gatwick’s Initial response to the Airports Commission’s recommendation report can be viewed here.