The British International Freight Association welcomes the news that London Gatwick Airport’s £2.2 billion second runway project has secured government approval.
This is another important step in the planning process, but BIFA notes that the project could be delayed if the Gatwick scheme is subject to a judicial review.
Steve Parker, BIFA director general said:
“The airport has become an increasingly important hub for air cargo and volumes are expected to climb sharply once the second runway is operational. Hopefully, the additional runway capacity will strengthen the airport’s position as a critical gateway for time-sensitive goods that move via aircraft.”
Second Opinion
Alun Cornish, Managing Director Ramp and Gateways at FedEx Europe, told us:
“We welcome the Transport Secretary’s support for Gatwick’s expansion, we’ve seen first-hand how vital air cargo is to Britain’s growth – helping businesses in the South East expand overseas and tap into global markets. Air connectivity isn’t just a convenience; it’s the backbone of international trade and economic strength.”
“We support appropriate airport expansion to deliver economic growth to the UK, but to unlock its full potential, cargo growth must remain a priority alongside passenger flights. Air freight is critical to modern supply chains and Britain’s global standing. Policymakers must act to ensure the UK remains a trading powerhouse. We look forward to what the future holds.”
Stewart Wingate, VINCI Airports Managing Director for United Kingdom said:
“After a lengthy and rigorous planning process, we welcome the Government’s approval of plans to bring our Northern Runway into routine use, ahead of the expected deadline.
This is another important gateway in the planning process for this £2.2bn investment, which is fully funded by our shareholders and will unlock significant growth, tourism and trade benefits for London Gatwick and the UK and create thousands of jobs.
As we’ve said previously, it is essential that any planning conditions enable us to realise the full benefits of the project and do not impose unnecessary constraints that make it uneconomic to invest in. We now need to carefully examine the details of the planning consent. Once we have done that, we will be able to comment further.”
A multilingual professional experienced in Europe, Canada, and China, Herbert has developed invaluable networks in the automotive and energy industries. He has led high-profile projects involving ENBW, Mercedes-Benz Group, Siemens Group, and the Fraunhofer Institute.