Gatwick Route 4 consultation nears deadline

London Gatwick Airport is urging communities and stakeholders to respond to its ongoing consultation on the future operation of Route 4, with the deadline set for April 28, 2026.

 

The 14-week consultation is part of a wider UK government programme to modernise national airspace and focuses on proposals to reintroduce satellite-based navigation procedures on one of the airport’s key departure routes.

Route 4 is one of nine main departure paths from Gatwick, used by aircraft taking off westbound before turning north and then east toward their final destinations. Satellite-based navigation was first introduced on the route in 2013 but was later withdrawn in 2019 following legal challenges.

The airport has since developed updated proposals aimed at resolving earlier concerns and aligning with national plans to phase out older ground-based navigation systems.

Officials say reintroducing satellite-based procedures is both a regulatory requirement and a step toward improving efficiency. The changes could also bring environmental benefits, including potential reductions in noise for some communities.

Residents and stakeholders can review the proposals online or at designated locations and submit feedback through digital platforms, post or phone. All responses will be reviewed and included in a final consultation report before the proposal is submitted.

The consultation forms part of a broader effort to modernise UK airspace infrastructure, which aims to improve flight efficiency while addressing environmental and community impacts.