UK approves Gatwick Northern Runway expansion despite climate opposition
The UK Secretary of State for Transport has granted development consent for Gatwick Airport’s plan to bring its standby northern runway into full operational use, enabling dual-runway operations and capacity for up to 80 million passengers annually. The £2.2bn project includes taxiway modifications, terminal extensions and associated infrastructure works.

The Planning Inspectorate conducted a six-month statutory examination, concluding with a recommendation in November 2024. Local communities, authorities and interest groups provided evidence during the process. The scheme marks the 60th transport infrastructure consent since the Planning Act 2008 entered into force.

Green Party co-leader Zack Polanski called the approval “a disaster”, warning of increased noise, pollution and carbon emissions. Industry welcomed the decision, with the Association for Consultancy and Engineering hailing it as proof that political will can overcome regulatory barriers and estimating 14,000 jobs and £1bn annual economic benefit.

Commission approves €11.7m aid for Carcassonne airport, but orders recovery of €1.8m from Ryanair
Following a long-running probe, the Commission has cleared €11.7m in subsidies granted between 2001–2011 to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Carcassonne-Limoux-Castelnaudary, then manager of Carcassonne airport. The investment and operating aid was deemed proportionate under the Aviation Guidelines and not unduly distortive of competition.

However, Brussels found that 11 of 16 marketing and services contracts with Ryanair and its subsidiary AMS provided an undue advantage, largely due to rising marketing payments offset by reduced airport charges. The Commission ordered France to recover €1.8m in unlawful aid plus interest.

The recovery follows EU rules requiring restitution of incompatible State aid to remove distortions of competition. The case adds to a series of rulings over regional airports’ incentive schemes for low-cost carriers in the 2000s and 2010s.

Consultation on Rail Passenger Rights revision draws 215 responses
The Commission’s Call for Evidence on revising the Rail Passenger Rights Regulation (EU) 2021/782 closed on 22 September, attracting 215 submissions: 164 citizens, 17 businesses, 11 business associations, eight public authorities, and smaller shares from NGOs and consumer groups.

Railway undertakings (via CER and UITP) opposed imposing blanket obligations for through-tickets, warning of liability risks if ticket vendors unilaterally combine journeys. Both organisations favoured contractual arrangements and cited the Agreement on Journey Continuation as a more workable basis.

Ticketing intermediaries (eu travel tech, Trainline, Rail Europe) argued for mandatory real-time, non-discriminatory data sharing by operators, enforceable journey continuation rights, and clear liability allocation. They pressed for an EU-level complaints portal and monetary reimbursement guarantees.

Consumer groups (BEUC) called for simplified ticket definitions, automatic extension of passenger rights to all combined journeys, and joint liability or mandatory designation of a responsible operator. The European Disability Forum highlighted fragmented accessibility provisions and demanded stronger guarantees for assistance across multi-operator trips.

The feedback will inform the Commission’s legislative proposal expected in 2026.