Plans to bring London Gatwick’s Northern Runway into routine use could support an estimated 275 million GBP annual uplift for the Sussex visitor economy by 2038, according to new projections.

The increased capacity would help facilitate additional international travel into the region, aligning with ambitions to grow the local tourism sector.

If planning approval is granted later this year, the airport’s proposals would allow for an additional 1.6 million international inbound passengers annually by 2038. This forecasted growth forms part of the wider Sussex Visitor Economy Growth Strategy, which sets out targets to attract 500,000 more international tourists per year by 2034 and expand the value of the sector from 5 billion GBP to 7.5 billion.

Tourism currently accounts for 14% of total employment in Sussex, supporting over 74,000 jobs. While international visitors make up around 2% of overall visitor numbers, they contribute approximately 20% of total tourism-related spending, underlining the economic significance of long-haul travel.

The strategy identifies markets such as China, Southeast Asia and the Gulf as areas of potential growth. London Gatwick already operates 54 long-haul routes and is seeking to expand its offering to destinations including Shanghai, Singapore and Dubai. Improved connectivity to these markets is expected to play a role in attracting higher-spending, longer-staying visitors to Sussex.

If the development proceeds, the airport estimates it could accommodate an additional 60,000 flights annually, with passenger numbers rising to approximately 80.2 million by 2047.

The Northern Runway is about more than just increasing capacity. It’s about connecting the UK to the fastest-growing regions of the world and ensuring Sussex can share in the benefits of that global reach. By unlocking an additional 1.6m international inbound passengers a year by 2038, we’re not just meeting growing demand, we’re bringing new opportunities directly into our region with tourism being a catalyst of economic growth.

The Northern Runway scheme is a privately funded 2.2 billion GBP project. London Gatwick currently contributes 5.5 billion GBP and 76,000 jobs to the UK economy annually. If the plans move ahead, the project is expected to support a further 14,000 jobs and deliver 1 billion GBP in additional economic activity per year for the region.