Second runway at Gatwick will drive growth, says Logistics UK

Logistics UK supports transport secretary Heidi Alexander’s decision to approve plans for a second runway at Gatwick Airport. Senior Policy Manager Alexandra Herdman explains why it will help drive growth across the economy:

“Gatwick is currently the busiest single runway airport in Europe and modifying the existing standby runway to develop a fully operational second runway, is a practical and efficient way to increase capacity. 

“Almost two thirds of the UK’s air cargo moves in passenger aircrafts, sitting underneath seats in the bellyhold, and can make the difference between a profitable and a non-profitable route for a passenger airline. This type of freight also tends to be high-value, time-sensitive goods such as manufacturing components and pharmaceuticals so is essential to keep the UK trading and supply chains moving. 

“By increasing passenger services, it is highly likely this will also provide increased air cargo, with some reports suggesting air cargo tonnage could double, helping address the significant shortage of air cargo capacity in the south east and boosting the economy by making international connections for UK businesses even easier.

“It is also important to recognise that innovation in aviation is moving at pace. Airspace modernisation, aircraft design and sustainable aviation fuel mean the sector is moving towards cleaner and quieter skies while driving economic growth across the whole economy.”

Logistics UK is one of the UK’s biggest business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With decarbonisation, Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. Logistics UK supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics, and is the only business group which represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, water and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods. For more information about the organisation and its work, please visit logistics.org.uk