Designs for Gatwick Airport expansion unveiled by leading UK architect

Architect Sir Terry Farrell has outlined his vision for Gatwick Airport expansion ahead of the Airports Commission final recommendation on the UK’s next runway.

The new images released today reveal an expanded Gatwick with a number of improvements that will eliminate queues, speed up passenger transit, and help Gatwick become the world’s most efficient two-runway airport. Enhancements will include self-service bag drops and electronic security gates that will eliminate queues, the development of systems enabling passengers to reach boarding gates within 30 minutes on arrival and reduced connection times.

On the airfield, aprons have been designed to meet the needs of all airline types, offering the flexibility needed to ensure the rapid turnaround of aircraft, this will be enhanced through short taxiing times resulting in reduced operating costs and engine emissions. In addition, both runways will operate in mixed mode, meaning both will have arriving and departing flights giving flexibility in times of peak demand.

According to Gatwick Airport the development will be privately financed and will not require a penny of taxpayers’ money. If given the go ahead, Gatwick predicts the runway to be operational by 2025.

Sir Terry Farrell, part of the awarding winning design team for Incheon Airport in Seoul said: “Our proposals for Gatwick are not just for another runway, but an entirely new world class airport for London and the UK. Heathrow cannot deliver that.

“Our vision for Gatwick is that it becomes the world’s most efficient two runway airport – flexible and responsive to meet the changing needs of passengers and airlines. With an elegant and simple terminal layout, we have designed a direct and straightforward route from curbside to plane, creating a seamless passenger experience. Queues have literally been designed out and the new terminal will be simple and convenient to use with minimal changes of level. The airfield itself will also offer the shortest taxiing distances possible with the new apron sitting between, and in close-proximity to, both the existing and new runways.

“By providing a second runway at Gatwick, we will create a much more balanced system of infrastructure, and capitalise on the integrated connectivity we already have in London. It will positively affect the whole of the UK’s infrastructure, and build on the power of networks. A second runway would turbocharge economic growth in the South East and do for South London was the Olympics did for East London.”

Gatwick CEO Stewart Wingate added: “Britain desperately needs more airport capacity and after decades of delay, it is decision time. Gatwick’s plans offer a blueprint for another world-class airport for the UK and the only deliverable option to finally fix the capacity crunch.

“Our plans are simpler, cheaper, faster and quieter while also helping create a more competitive network of UK airports that every passenger can benefit from. In a lengthy, complex debate, Gatwick has remained the simple, obvious solution throughout – it is time we are given the green light to deliver the new runway the UK needs.”