Aurigny welcomes Gatwick second runway approval

Aurigny operates flights from Guernsey to London Gatwick

Bosses at a Guernsey airline have welcomed the approval of plans for a second runway at London Gatwick Airport.

Aurigny, which operates flights between Guernsey and Gatwick, said the move could help reduce delays and deliver a "more reliable and efficient" service.

On Sunday, the UK's Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander announced the £2.2bn privately-financed project had been approved.

A spokesperson for Aurigny said the expansion at Gatwick - which is Europe's busiest single-runway airport - would provide a boost to its services.

"As a key partner in connecting Guernsey with London and onwards to over 230 destinations worldwide, we see this expansion as a positive step which will ultimately provide enhanced flexibility throughout the year to further optimise schedules for the island," the spokesperson added.

The plans for Gatwick, in Sussex, involve moving the northern runway, currently used only for taxiing or as a back-up runway, 12m (39ft) to bring it into regular use.

Other developments, including extending the size of the terminals, are also in the plans.

It is forecast Gatwick could have 70,000 more flights a year - about 190 a day - once the new runway is open.

UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the plans would create thousands of jobs and billions in investment.

The project has faced opposition with environmental groups such as Greenpeace UK saying the plans would increase air pollution, noise and climate emissions.