Gatwick Airport is looking to engage local businesses with its plans to create a second runway.

The airport is currently consulting on plans to bring its Northern Runway into regular operation alongside its Main Runway to increase capacity.

Should the plans go ahead, airport bosses say they want to boost local businesses by focussing its procurement and supply chain on local organisations.

The airport says the new runway could create 18,400 jobs. The consultation closes on 1 December.

Richard Lennard, Economic Partnerships Manager, Gatwick Airport said: “Gatwick has been a major driver for the local and regional economy for several decades, as well as supporting the wider UK economy. We plan to maximise the benefits we provide for local people, communities and businesses through the development of a range of supply chain initiatives that aim to ensure the airport’s procurement and supply chain spending targets businesses based in the region.”

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