What is Gatwick's expansion plan and who will pay for it?

Gatwick Airport’s expansion plan would bring its emergency runway into routine use, reshaping how the airport handles peaks and disruptions. The Press Association outlines 14 questions about the project, including that Gatwick currently operates one conventional runway and one standby runway, which is mostly for taxiing and is used during emergencies or maintenance. To meet safety rules, the standby runway would be moved 12 metres north, away from the main runway, and the plan also includes remodeling taxiways, extending both terminals, and installing new gates. Gatwick says it would enable about 386,000 flights per year, roughly 100,000 more than current levels, with passengers potentially rising from around 43 million to 75 million by the late 2030s. The project is estimated at £2.2 billion, privately financed, aiming for operations before 2029. Gatwick’s owners are Vinci and Global Infrastructure Partners.