Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has said that Gatwick should get government backing for a second runway ahead of the recommended option of a third runway at Heathrow.
![Gatwick Airport chief exec Stewart Wingate with London mayor Sadiq Khan](http://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/img-cache/8483e2ca2bb4fc05d567e26eae52da8f/270x180_1468590700_sadiq-khan-gatwick.jpg)
![Gatwick Airport chief exec Stewart Wingate with London mayor Sadiq Khan](http://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/img-cache/8483e2ca2bb4fc05d567e26eae52da8f/270x180_1468590700_sadiq-khan-gatwick.jpg)
Above: Gatwick Airport chief exec Stewart Wingate with London mayor Sadiq Khan
Sadiq Khan said: “The new prime minister has a very important decision to make regarding new airport capacity, and I urge her to rule as swiftly as possible in favour of a second runway at Gatwick, which would bring substantial economic benefits.”
He was speaking during a visit to Gatwick today to hear about the airport’s plans to increase its capital spending by £200m to improve its facilities. This means that the total invested on the airport since new owners took over in 2009 through to 2021 will be £2.5bn.
Some of the projects identified in the 2016-21 capital investment programme announced today include:
- more/bigger shops
- expansion of both departure lounges and immigration halls
- additional aircraft parking stands and taxiway improvements.
Mayor Khan said: “Gatwick is the front door to London for millions of visitors to our city and I salute their decision to spend another £200m on improvements to the airport. They have put together a formidable plan that is a fantastic display of their confidence in London.”
![MPU](http://www.bdcmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/blank.gif)
This article was published on 15 Jul 2016 (last updated on 15 Jul 2016).