The Government has delayed a decision on a second runway at Gatwick despite its pledge to “defy eco-warriors” on the £2.2bn...

Britain will decide on Thursday whether to allow Gatwick Airport to expand, a move that could add millions of extra passengers at the country's no.2 hub and help boost economic growth.

Following Rachel Reeves’ announcement last month that confirmed the government’s support for a third runway at Heathrow, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has today said she is ‘minded to approve’ Gatwick’s plans for a second runway.

The Civil Aviation Authority made the comments as it announced support for the West Sussex airport's proposed new commitments over the next four years

The UK gave its tentative backing to a plan to expand London’s Gatwick airport, as the Labour government insisted it can push ahead with major infrastructure projects while still meeting its environmental commitments.

Britain is inclined to approve the expansion of its second largest airport Gatwick, the government said on Thursday, over objections from environmentalists and during a push on infrastructure to drive economic growth.

The U.K. government gave its provisional backing Thursday to the creation of a second runway at Gatwick Airport outside London if certain improvements were met, including on noise reduction — a move that has been met with incredulity from environmental campaigners.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the campaign group Communities Against Gatwick Noise Emissions (Cagne) said: "We welcome the extension by the secretary of state until October as she

London Gatwick Airport's plans to expand have been boosted by a UK minister's decision to support the scheme. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander announced she "minded to approve" the expansion if the project is adjusted.