Representation by Arcadis (Arcadis)
- Date submitted
- 27 October 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
The UK Aviation Industry is a lifeline for UK Trade and Business to function and allow the UK economy to thrive and grow. Our population is growing and our economy's growth needs to align with this growth in population, as demonstrated by the UK house building programme. Being an island, aviation is a key part of our transportation enabling us to continue to grow and be a thriving economy. We have not had a new runway at our major airports since Manchester Airport opened its second runway in 2001. By comparison, Schiphol Airport has 6 runways, Frankfurt Airport has 4 runways and Charles de Gaulle also has 4 runways, it is thus obvious than the UK is falling behind in terms of capacity and efficiency to serve the needs of passengers. Therefore, capacity programmes such as the Gatwick Northern Runway and others are needed if the UK is to maintain its influence and presence on the UK stage, both politically and economically. The aviation industry has also changed significantly in terms of tackling the decarbonisation, noise and air quality issues and therefore it is obvious the decarbonisation of air travel is a matter of how and when, rather than if. The sector will have to undergo significant changes in the coming decades but with that comes opportunities to create new jobs, develop new industries with innovative new technologies, and improve our transportation network as a nation. Through the UK government’s Jet Zero Strategy we are committing the UK aviation sector to reaching net zero, or Jet Zero, by 2050. Gatwick support this strategy and have committed to reaching this goal by 2030. Taking into account the need for the UK to strengthen its economic position globally, to maintain our political position to influence key global challenges, coupled with the need to create new jobs, now and in the future, while meeting our sustainability targets, programmes such as the Northern Runway must be part of the solution to put the UK at the forefront of global innovation. We cannot do this if the rest of the world is better connected than we are. It is obvious that Gatwick, like many Airports in the UK, care about their communities and want to see them thrive economically and from a societal perspective. Gatwick have made it clear that the Northern Runway programme meets these needs along with meeting the industry requirements for climate change and supporting the UK’s growth requirements.