West Sussex County Council Leader Henry Smith says the new owners of Gatwick must work closely with the local community over its future plans for the international airport.
Henry Smith was speaking today (December 4) as the sale of the airport from BAA to Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) was completed.
GIP, which runs London City Airport, has said that improving the customer experience and reducing security queues will be one of its main aims.
Henry said: “The County Council always had a good working relationship with Gatwick and I trust that this will continue with the new owners.
“I am sure that everyone who uses the airport regularly will welcome the stated aim of improvements to the customer experience.
“This will be particularly important in 2012 when Gatwick will be a major gateway into Great Britain for the Olympic games.”
Henry said the new owners were also fully aware that the historic 1979 legal agreement negotiated by West Sussex County Council that prevents a second runway before 2019 remains in force.
He added: “We cannot bind a successor administration on what happens after 2019 under conditions which might be different from those now.
“We will want a dialogue with the new owners with a view to securing the most economically and environmentally sustainable long term solution for West Sussex communities.”
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