Membership Case Study - Gatwick Airport

As the UK’s second largest airport, and the world’s busiest single-runway airport, Gatwick processes around 32million passengers a year to/from over 200 destinations. The airport is a major economic driver both regionally and nationally, directly contributing around £2.3billion annually to the UK economy and directly supporting 23,000 jobs.

Following the commencement of Airbus A380 commercial operations by airlines in 2008, the CAA designated Gatwick as the diversionary airport should an incident occur at Heathrow and the A380 was unable to land.

In order to become the diversionary airport, the runway at Gatwick needed work and so a planning application was submitted to Crawley Borough Council. There was some local community concern and the Council placed a Planning Condition that the A380 could only land on diversion and not on an operated schedule.

Once the Planning Condition had been brought to the attention of the Gatwick Diamond Business Association, it was decided that we would lobby to build a broad coalition of interest and support in preparation for when an application would eventually be made to lift the condition.

In the Summer of 2010 an application was made and we set about lobbying to ensure that the A380 would be able to operate on a scheduled service at Gatwick.

In the first instance we formally submitted an expression of support through the Planning Process then we mobilised those who had expressed their support to us in discussions and meetings.

This culminated in 14 separate positive expressions through the Planning Process. There were two submissions that opposed the lifting of the condition and we used the Planning process to counter the claims made within these.

In September 2010, the Council’s Planning Committee agreed to lift the condition and we look forward to seeing the A380 as a daily arrival at Gatwick.

Stewart Wingate, CEO of Gatwick said: “Cadia understands exactly what Gatwick Diamond businesses need to thrive  and prosper. Gatwick values the strong voice and leadership that Cadia offers on pressing matters of concern at the local, regional and national level.

“We are delighted to be a member and would recommend that all local businesses – large or small – be part of a dynamic organisation that is setting the agenda”.