Recently, there have been new developments in the expansion projects of two major airports in the UK - Gatwick Airport and Heathrow Airport, which have attracted widespread attention.

The £ 2.2 billion project to add a second runway at Gatwick Airport has been officially approved by the Ministry of Transport and is about to proceed. The project involves moving the existing north runway 12 meters north to meet safety requirements, while upgrading the north and south terminal buildings to help modernize operations and increase capacity. The new runway utilizes the existing emergency taxiway and is expected to be completed by 2029. At that time, the annual aircraft takeoff and landing capacity will increase from 280000 to 390000, and the number of passengers may double to 80 million. At present, the type of runway construction is unclear, but it is highly likely to use high-quality asphalt surface with reinforced concrete structure support at the bottom. The bidding date has not been announced, but the project will bring much-needed job opportunities for professional contractors. As one of the busiest airports in the world, Gatwick Airport has been planning a new runway for a long time. Although it has been facing challenges such as environmental and local group opposition, it is still steadily progressing.

Coincidentally, London Heathrow Airport will also welcome a £ 49 billion renovation project, funded by private individuals. Among them, the construction of the third runway is expected to cost £ 21 billion, requiring the demolition of some residential buildings and the construction of a new tunnel connecting to the M25 highway. Similar to the Gatwick Airport project, the specific design and construction details of the third runway have not yet been announced, and it is expected to use asphalt surface and reinforced concrete structure. In addition, £ 12 billion will be invested to upgrade the terminal and £ 15 billion to improve the overall infrastructure of the airport. Keywords: foreign construction news, international news

The expansion projects of two major airports have significant implications for the aviation industry and economic development in the UK. After expansion, the airport's takeoff and landing capacity and passenger reception volume will be greatly improved, attracting more routes and passengers, promoting international trade and tourism development, driving the prosperity of related industries, and creating a large number of job opportunities.Editor/Cheng Liting