London Gatwick has achieved The Wildlife Trust’s Biodiversity Benchmark Award for efforts to protect and enhance 91 hectares of land surrounding the airport for ten years running.
This prestigious award places London Gatwick among just 16 organisations to hold the certification, celebrating its outstanding stewardship of natural habitats, and setting a gold standard in biodiversity management.
Over 23,000 passionate volunteers, local schools, and community groups have actively participated in London Gatwick’s biodiversity initiatives in the past decade. Their efforts have helped protect and enhance 91 hectares of land surrounding the airport, nurturing ecosystems that support more than 3,000 species of plants, animals, and fungi, including rare and threatened species like nightingales and great crested newts.
The airport’s collaboration with the Gatwick Greenspace Partnership has been instrumental in enhancing grassland, woodland, hedgerows, and wetland areas as part of their Biodiversity Action Plan.
Colin Mendendez, Biodiversity Benchmark Assessor, The Wildlife Trust said: “Congratulations to everyone at London Gatwick on this 10-year achievement - it’s a great example of how businesses can make a difference in protecting the natural world. London Gatwick’s dedication to combining meticulous ecological management of their land with community involvement sets a standard that’s both inspiring and impactful.”
Darcey Haldar, Senior Ecologist, London Gatwick said: “Receiving The Wildlife Trusts’ Biodiversity Benchmark Award for 10 years in a row, every year since 2015, is a tremendous honour.
“The flora and fauna in our biodiversity areas are thriving, thanks to our dedicated environmental team, volunteers, and community partners.
“Through our sustainability policy, Decade of Change, we will continue championing sustainability and community engagement in our commitment to running the airport responsibly.”
Growth plans could provide a significant economic boost
London Gatwick’s expansion plans could significantly boost the economy and UK-China connectivity as demand continues to grow, with an almost 265% year-on-year rise in passenger volumes between Gatwick and China.
The airport saw almost 550,000 passengers travelling to China in 2024, up from just over 150,000 in 2023. China’s three largest carriers already fly from London Gatwick, with 33 services a week, via Air China, China Southern and China Eastern, flying to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Zhengzhou.
London Gatwick plays a key role in that continued growth. If plans to bring its Northern Runway, currently a backup, into routine use are approved by the Government, it will allow for even more international services, including from China.
The Northern Runway project represents a £2.2 billion shovel-ready privately financed investment that could be operational by the end of the decade. The plans will create a further 14,000 jobs and generate £1 billion in economic benefits each year.
Jonathan Pollard, Chief Commercial Officer, London Gatwick said: “China accounts for 5.1% of total UK trade and was the UK’s fifth largest trading partner in 2024. As demonstrated by the Chancellor’s visit to China earlier this year, this market is vitally important to the UK economy in terms of both inbound visitors and trade. We are pleased to offer significant connectivity between the two nations from London Gatwick.
“We have seen huge demand for growth of these routes, from airlines and passengers. If approved, our Northern Runway plans could provide even greater opportunity to support communities, the economy and the Government’s wider plans for growth, through enhanced capacity for vital long-haul services.”
London Gatwick continues to expand, now connecting to more than 223 destinations. One recent, significant development has been the addition of a direct route to Singapore serviced by Singapore Airlines – which will increase to a daily service at the end of March. With trade between the UK and Asia reaching £366bn in 2023, and liberalised trade conditions on the rise, the potential for regional businesses to expand internationally is greater than ever.
To help businesses seize these opportunities, London Gatwick and regional Chambers of Commerce are hosting an exclusive webinar. This event is tailored for UK businesses looking to expand in Asia, and Singapore-based companies interested in the UK market.
Free event details:
Date: Wednesday, March 5th 2025
Time: 9:00am - 10:00am
Location: Online via Zoom
Highlights:
• Keynote presentations by industry leaders on the current landscape of trade in Singapore
• Networking opportunities with Chamber members and industry experts
• Question and Answer session
Guest speakers:
• Louise Beazor, Head of Trade Services – British Chambers Singapore
• Richard Lennard, Economic Partnerships Manager – London Gatwick
This webinar will explore how London Gatwick’s growing Asian connections can strengthen the region’s economy, support exports, and open doors to dynamic markets. Whether you’re exporting goods or exploring new imports, join us to discover how London Gatwick’s routes to Asia can benefit your business.
80% of local residents support gatwick’s plans*
Four in every five residents, who expressed a preference, support London Gatwick’s plans for growth, according to a YouGov poll.
The survey of more than 2,000 people across Sussex, Surrey, Kent, and Croydon is the fourth in a row to show that four out of five South East residents continue to support the airport’s plans to routinely use the Northern Runway. This will increase passenger numbers to 75 million by the late 2030s.
In the latest survey, residents said new jobs (76%), the economic boost (73%), new investment and business (69%) and new international connections (73%) were all important factors of London Gatwick’s growth plans.
Younger age groups support the airport’s plans most, with 89% of 18 to 34-year-olds who expressed an opinion in favour, followed by 79% of 35 to 54-year-olds and 75% of residents aged 55 or over.
The government is currently considering the airport’s plans and – if approved - will inject £1bn into the region’s economy every year and support 14,000 new jobs.
London Gatwick’s Northern Runway is currently used as a taxiway or a runway for emergencies. If approved, the airport’s plans would bring it into daily use alongside its Main Runway for departing aircraft, without major disruption.
Stewart Wingate, CEO, London Gatwick said: “This new polling demonstrates how positively people across the region people view our Northern Runway plans. Most recognise the important economic role the airport plays in generating new business opportunities and prosperity.
“Our shovel-ready plans will provide a huge boost in terms of economic benefits, jobs and connectivity – clearly factors that are of primary importance to people across the South East, whether they are thinking in the medium term or further into the future.”
London Gatwick is investing in its long-term future. The airport’s planning application to bring its existing Northern Runway into routine use has been independently reviewed by the Planning Inspectorate (PINS), which has submitted its recommendation to the Secretary of State. A decision is expected in early 2025. London Gatwick’s low-impact plan will improve resilience, reduce delays, and significantly boost the national and regional economy by supporting trade, tourism, and new jobs.
NOTES
*Four in five residents who expressed an opinion support London Gatwick’s Northern Runway plans. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. The total sample size was 2,031 adults living in Kent, Sussex, Surrey and Croydon. Fieldwork was undertaken between November 12th and December 2nd 2024. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of adults in Kent, Sussex, Surrey and Croydon (aged 18+).
