The U.K. government has provided provisional approval to the creation of a second runway at Gatwick Airport outside London.

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.

London-Gatwick Airport has welcomed the UK government’s response to its second runway application despite its decision to extend the process.

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.

Gatwick is the UK's second busiest airport and one of the busiest single-runway airports in the world. It is understood that Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has “set out a path to approving” Gatwi

London: The UK government Thursday signalled it will approve expansion of London s Gatwick airport pending closer examination of the proposed

Britain is set to approve the expansion of Gatwick Airport, the government's transport minister said on Thursday, after she issued a "minded to approve" letter but said the deadline for a final decision would be extended to Oct.

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.

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.