Gatwick has claimed its design for expansion would make it the most efficient two-runway airport in the world.
An animation of the designs by architect Sir Terry Farrell was published on Monday (January 15) showing how the airport would look should a second runway and new Terminal be built.
Among the improvements highlighted in Sir Terry’s designs were: self-service bag drops and electronic security gates which he said would eliminate queues; the ability for passengers to connect with flights leaving from different Terminals in 45 minutes; and the ability for Gatwick to match the world’s quickest aircraft turnaround times.
CEO Stewart Wingate said: “The way we travel is changing fast and we have to change with it – only Gatwick can cater for all passengers, travelling to any destination, with any airline type, now and into the future.
“Our plan recognises that traditional methods of transferring are in decline with many passengers exploiting new options to ‘self-connect’ between a mix of low cost short and medium haul, charter and long haul flights depending on their budget and needs.”
Gatwick said its expansion plan could be delivered by 2025 while claiming Heathrow faced obstacles which “cast doubt on whether a third runway there could realistically ever be built”.