The UK government has expressed support for a second runway at Gatwick Airport, contingent on noise reduction measures. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander stated she is ‘minded to approve’ the expansion, which requires planning permission and private funding. Gatwick, Europe’s busiest single-runway airport, handled over 40 million passengers last year. The proposed £2.2 billion project aims to increase capacity, particularly for short-haul flights, by the end of the 2030s. However, the plan faces opposition from climate activists and local residents concerned about noise, air quality, and environmental impacts. Gatwick’s CEO views the expansion as beneficial for passengers and the economy, while critics argue it may merely shift jobs rather than create new ones. — news from BBC.com
