The Gatwick Airport Expansion and its Supply Chain Impact

In a bid to help support economic growth and meet rising demand for e-commerce, leading construction company Mace has been selected by London Gatwick to build the extension to its Pier 6.

The £140m extension is slated for completion by 2027 and will allow seven-and-a-half million passengers to depart directly onto aircraft every year with eight new aircraft gates adjacent to the airport’s runways. 

The improvement will allow London Gatwick to deliver its Northern Runway plans and, in the process, is set to strengthen the construction and aviation supply chain.

It will also enhance the logistics within the airport by optimising turnaround times and streamlining passenger movement. The expansion will save 12,000 bus journeys a year by removing the need to coach more than 500,000 passengers to remote stands. 

Cédric Laurier, Chief Technical Officer at London Gatwick, explains: “This build is complex as it’s right in the heart of our airfield, but we’re experienced in delivering major projects in challenging environments at London Gatwick. 

“The partnership and experience from Mace will be invaluable. Our teams are already working side-by-side to deliver what we think is a cutting-edge design for an airport building in terms of embodied carbon savings. 

“Once complete, more than seven million passengers will have a seamless airport experience, and our airlines will benefit from improved airfield efficiency as the extended pier is located conveniently beside the airport’s runway.”

London Gatwick’s expansion

London Gatwick’s Northern Runway project strives to ensure its standby runway can operate effectively alongside the main runway. 

It is projected to create 14,000 jobs throughout the UK supply chain and generate £1bn a year for the nation's economy. 

The £2.2bn privately-funded initiative will meet the government’s ambition of utilising existing infrastructure to support economic growth. 

The Secretary of State for Transport issued a minded to approve letter for London Gatwick’s growth plans on 27 February. 

Stewart Wingate, CEO at London Gatwick, responded: “We welcome today’s announcement that the Secretary of State for Transport is minded to approve our Northern Runway plans and has outlined a clear pathway to full approval later in the year.  

“It is vital that any planning conditions attached to the final approval enable us to make a decision to invest £2.2bn in this project and realise the full benefits of bringing the Northern Runway into routine use. We will, of course, engage fully in the extended process for a final decision. 

"We stand ready to deliver this project which will create 14,000 jobs and generate £1bn a year in economic benefits. By increasing resilience and capacity we can support the UK’s position as a leader in global connectivity and deliver substantial trade and economic growth in the South East and more broadly. We have also outlined to government how we plan to grow responsibly to meet increasing passenger demand, while minimising noise and environmental impacts.”

This expansion of Pier 6 will support London Gatwick’s expansion by enhancing efficiency, sustainability and capacity across the airport’s operations.  

Gatwick’s Pier 6

Mace’s construction of the Pier 6 expansion at London Gatwick will improve workforce skills, supply chain sustainability and airport efficiency to future-proof aviation logistics.

In 2005, Mace was chosen to build the airport’s original Pier 6 and 197m airbridge, the first of its kind in any UK airport. The bridge linked the North Terminal to the new Pier 6, an 11-aircraft standing building. It is high and wide enough to fit an aircraft the size of a Boeing 747-700 to pass underneath and it spans a live taxiway. 

The recent expansion will feature eight new aircraft gates, allowing 7.5 million more passengers to board efficiently every year. 

Not only will this reduce delays in aircraft operations by allowing passengers to board directly but it will also enhance baggage handling efficiency by speeding up the movement of baggage to reduce transit times and risk of mishandling. 

Nigel Cole, Managing Director, Infrastructure, Mace Construct, states: “Using the latest sustainable construction techniques, this extension project will add much needed capacity to London Gatwick and benefit not just the wider economy but also the local community.

“Having built the original Pier 6 and link bridge, we know that working in a busy operating environment takes thorough planning and specialist experience, and this latest appointment sits alongside our existing projects within the baggage halls to provide new employment opportunities throughout the supply chain. This will include work experience placements, apprenticeships, and roles for local people not in education, employment or training.”

Integrating sustainability

Sustainability remains at the heart of London Gatwick’s operations. 

Its Decade of Change policy aims for 60% of journeys to and from the airport to be ultra-low or zero emissions by 2030. 

Sustainable procurement strategies have meant the Pier 6 project is on track to reach BREEAM ratings of ‘Excellent’ (Overall) and ‘Outstanding (Energy and water).

London Gatwick and Mace made several changes to help enhance the sustainability of the project:

• The width of the building was reduced
• Two-storeys rather than three
• Hybrid steel and timber frame structure
• Re-design ventilation systems to use less plant and ductwork

Changes to the design will deliver around a 40% saving in embodied carbon and changing finishes will deliver another 20% saving. 

By eliminating the need for 12,000 bus journeys a year, the project will reduce fuel consumption and minimise airside emissions. 

Not only will it improve airfield efficiency by reducing taxiing distances or aircrafts but it will also support long-term sustainable growth by supporting London Gatwick to accommodate more passengers without increasing its carbon footprint.

The impact on supply chains

The Pier 6 expansion at Gatwick will impact construction procurement, airport logistics and sustainability efforts to improve supply chain efficiency. 

The project will optimise ground handling and passenger flow while reducing congestion on taxiways and stands by providing direct access to airport gates.

Decisions like shifting to a hybrid steel and timber frame will call upon sustainable procurement to encourage suppliers to adopt green materials and design choices will help to cut supply chain emissions and embrace more efficient construction methods. 

The expansion will support the Northern Gateway project and ensure Gatwick can handle growing airline demand effectively while integrating logistics efficiency, sustainable procurement and carbon reduction to craft a more sustainable aviation supply chain.

Did you know? You can hear from Jade Marjurum, Associate Director of Procurement at Mace, at Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE Dubai on 29 April 2025. 

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