Chief executive Pierre-Hugues Schmit said the ruling ends an eight-year planning process, allowing Gatwick to move into design for the Northern Runway project, expected to create 14,000 jobs

On August 4, 2026, Gatwick Airport said that the Court of Appeal had rejected legal challenges to the planning permission that was granted by the government in September 2025.

The UK’s Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said the court’s decision was a “major milestone for Gatwick and for local communities”.

“Around 13 million more passengers and 100,000 more flights will give holidaymakers greater choice and strengthen global links to help make the UK one of the most attractive places in the world to invest,” Alexander added.