Gatwick Airport has received clearance to proceed with its Northern Runway Project expansion following a decision by the Court of Appeal. Environmental campaigners who challenged the project’s approval were unsuccessful in their bid to mount a further legal appeal.
The expansion is expected to accommodate approximately 100,000 additional flights at the West Sussex airport. Environmental groups had opposed the initiative, contending that the Northern Runway Project could result in nearly 1 million additional tons of emissions. The airport’s emissions reached 4.4 million tons of CO2-equivalent in 2025.
Opponents of the expansion had argued that the UK government, which previously approved the project, had not conducted an adequate assessment of its climate implications. The Court of Appeal’s decision on Tuesday to reject their appeal effectively removes a significant legal obstacle to the project’s advancement.
The outcome may have implications for other UK airports pursuing expansion strategies. Several airports have made public commitments to reduce their carbon footprint while simultaneously pursuing growth initiatives, raising questions about whether these objectives can be reconciled. A parliamentary vote on the Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement is anticipated by the end of the year, which could permit a formal planning application for Heathrow’s proposed third runway.
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