The first flights to take off from the extended Northern Runway will start from 2030, which will mean 100,000 additional services each year.

The airport currently offers flights to more than 200 destinations. However, the expansion will enable the hub to offer more destinations, boost competition to drive down fares, reportedly create 14,000 new jobs and deliver an additional £1 billion in economic benefits every year.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said on Tuesday (4 August): “This is a major milestone for Gatwick for local communities, with expansion unlocking investment and creating thousands of new jobs.

“Around 13 million more passengers and 100,000 more flights will give holidaymakers greater choice and strengthen global links to help make the UK one of the most attractive places in the world to invest.

“We’ll back expansion that supports growth and our climate goals. To drive forward sustainable change, we’re also investing over £219m for green fuel production to cut emissions from flying and secure the future of aviation.”

Campaign group Communities Against Gatwick Noise Emissions (Cagne) previously took legal action against the Department for Transport over the decision to approve the plans.

The challenges were dismissed in June, finding that it was "neither illogical nor contradictory" for Alexander not to refuse the proposed development “on the basis that it would have a material impact on the ability of Government to meet its carbon reduction targets”, ITV News reports.

In July, Cagne asked the Court of Appeal to allow them to challenge the ruling, but in a ruling on Tuesday (4 August), Lord Justice Colgate and Lord Justice Dove dismissed the appeal bids.