London Gatwick has completed an infrastructure project to help reduce delays and go-arounds.

The new Rapid Exit Taxiway (RET) has opened, enabling arriving aircraft to leave the main runway at a more optimal location after landing. Since opening, the new taxiway was used by more than half (56%) of all arrivals in its first four days of operation.

Construction initially began in 2020. But following a pause to the initiative during the height of Covid-19, the project was reviewed, resulting in a cost-reduced redesign. mPreviously, some aircraft would narrowly miss the first taxiway to exit the runway, for example if they landed later than anticipated, weather conditions made braking more challenging, or they were flying with a heavier load than normal. This would result in the aircraft travelling slowly along the runway to the next taxiway exit, which could take an extra 20 seconds or more due to the distance.

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By achieving a more efficient exit, the airport’s runway will perform more consistently, supporting all pilots but particularly those who are less familiar with this airport. More pilots are now able to take the first exit, and if they miss the first exit then the time to the second exit is much lower, meaning they are less likely to impact other aircraft.

Gavin Sillitto, Transformation Programme Lead, London Gatwick said: “Every project where you are building next to a live runway is complex, but we have a great result thanks to fantastic teamwork across the airport and with our contractor, PJ Hegarty.

“For aircraft exiting the runway, it is like the speed of turning onto a motorway slip road rather than onto a suburban street. Putting an exit in a place which is natural for how pilots normally brake, that can handle aircraft exiting safely at higher speeds, increasing resilience, reducing delays and limiting carbon and noise emissions.”

Andrew Isted, senior project manager said: “We were delighted to complete the project with no impact to or complaints from the local community, with our contractors operating carefully and safely, and often at night, in a busy operational environment.”

The airport has a plan to bring its northern runway into regular use. This idea is currently undergoing detailed examination by the the UK Planning Inspectorate. Gatwick bosses have said that doing so will improve resilience, reduce delays, and provide a significant boost to the national and regional economy by supporting trade, tourism, and creating new jobs.