More than 600 new construction jobs will be created in the delivery of an expansion to Gatwick Airport.
The international airport, near Crawley, said around 630 new jobs will be created for local construction workers if its Northern Runway development is approved, with around 1,400 in total forecast nationally at peak construction.
The airport, also known as London-Gatwick Airport (LGW), aims to create a second runway for smaller departing aircraft, alongside its main runway.
Wider plans also include construction of supporting infrastructure and facilities, such as road improvements, a new pier with aircraft stands, additional parking, and hotels.
Improvements to the existing terminal buildings will also be carried out.
Gatwick first announced the expansion proposals in 2018.
It is currently understood to be the second-largest airport in the United Kingdom and the world’s busiest single-runway airport.
The 630 new jobs will include management roles, engineers, plant operators, ground workers, concrete specialists, steel erectors, cladding and glaziers, building management system and fit-out specialists – generated across the county council areas of West Sussex, East Sussex, Surrey and Kent, the unitary authority of Brighton and Hove, and the London Borough of Croydon.
However, most local hires would be sourced from authority areas in the airport’s immediate vicinity, including Reigate and Banstead, Crawley and Mid Sussex, with others from Sutton, Mole Valley and Bromley.
It is understood the airport is in the final stages of preparing a planning application, which will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate, according to Aerotime Hub.
Gatwick was sold to private equity company, Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), in 2009, which has since sold a majority stake to VINCI Airports.
Under CEO Stewart Wingate’s leadership, Gatwick Airport is understood to have witnessed passenger numbers rise from around 30 million in 2009 (when Wingate took over) to more than 46 million in 2019.
Enjoyed this? Try Mace starts £440m Manchester Airport expansion
Get industry news in 5 minutes!
A daily email that makes industry news enjoyable. It’s completely free.