The decision to approve the expansion plan had been expected in February, but at the time, the transport secretary only said she was “minded to grant consent” for the Northern Runway planning application.
It emerged planning inspectors had expressed concerns over the effect the proposals would have on several aspects on the area surrounding the airport, including traffic and noise.
In April, Gatwick Airport agreed to stricter noise controls, an enhanced insulation scheme for nearby residents, and having 54% of air passengers using public transport before the Northern Runway opened.
To achieve this target, the airport said, third parties – including the Department for Transport – would need to “support delivery of the necessary conditions and improvements required to meet this target,” giving the example of reinstating the full Gatwick Express rail service.
Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the Gatwick Express ran a service of four trains per hour non-stop between the airport and London Victoria, this was reduced to two trains per hour from 2022.
Gatwick Airport also proposed a cars-on-the-road limit if the 54% target could not be met before the first use of the Northern Runway to address possible road congestion concerns.
It added that if neither the target nor the cars-on-the road limit could be met, the runway plans would be delayed until the required £350m of road improvements had been completed.
“This would make sure any additional road traffic flows can be accommodated and any congestion avoided,” the airport said.