Expanding Gatwick as well as Heathrow would benefit consumers, says CAA

Gatwick airport’s expansion has received the backing of the UK’s aviation regulator, which argued it would bring “benefits to consumers” even with the prospect of a third runway at Heathrow. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announced its support for the West Sussex airport’s proposed new commitments for the next four years, saying they would increase choice for passengers. Heidi Alexander, the transport secretary, has a deadline of Thursday for her decision on whether to approve Gatwick’s plan to bring its emergency runway into routine use. This would enable the airport to be used for 100,000 more flights a year. The chancellor, Rachel Reeves, gave her backing for Heathrow’s third runway project in a speech on growth last month. The CAA said it had considered the implications of a third runway at Heathrow airport on its fellow London hub. It argued: “Gatwick’s airline and passenger base is significantly different from that using Heathrow and we remain of the view that there are likely to be benefits to consumers in expanding capacity in Gatwick, including in relation to meeting the demands of passengers in the choice of destinations, enhanced competitive pressure on airlines and the greater resilience of airport infrastructure.” A third runway at Heathrow is likely to cost far more than the last estimate of £14bn and would cause more noise, pollution and disruption – as it involves demolishing hundreds of homes, lowering the M25 for the new runway to cross, rerouting rivers and building parking for nearly 50,000 cars.<br/>