Gareth Bacon, the shadow transport secretary, said it represented an “abject failure” on the part of the Government, which had “fallen at the first hurdle” in overruling blockers to unleash a flood of infrastructure projects – including a potential third runway at Heathrow.

Following Rachel Reeves’ announcement last month that confirmed the government’s support for a third runway at Heathrow, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has today said she is ‘minded to approve’ Gatwick’s plans for a second runway.

The Civil Aviation Authority made the comments as it announced support for the West Sussex airport's proposed new commitments over the next four years

LONDON (AP) — The U.K. government on Thursday provided provisional approval to the creation of a second runway at Gatwick Airport outside London if certain improvements to the plan were met, including on noise reduction.

The Government has given its backing for a second runway to be built at London’s Gatwick Airport if the project is adjusted. The airport wants to move its northern run-off strip, which is only used for taxiing or as a back-up, by 12 metres to create an additional take-off and landing spot to create more flights and jobs.

Gatwick has until 24 April to respond to demands for it to include measures, such as noise mitigation and having a proportion of passengers travelling to the airport via public transport, in its overall plans before a final decision will be made in October.