Tens of thousands of new jobs would be generated by a new runway at Gatwick Airport.
Research from engineering consultancy Arup found 28,000 new jobs would be created by 2050.
Croydon would be in a prime position to benefit from expansion, with the council having entered into a ‘memorandum of understanding’ ensuring benefits for the borough should a second runway be given the green light.
Although new roles would primarily be generated within airline businesses, which would put on up to 14,500 jobs, service suppliers, contractors and retailers could all take on between 3,000 and 4,500 staff over the next 35 years.
Gatwick chief executive Stewart Wingate said: “Gatwick’s second runway will not only connect the UK to existing and emerging markets around the world, it will also provide thousands of jobs across the South East and deliver a once in a generation opportunity for young people to directly benefit from expansion.
“This is an example of how Gatwick expansion is a nationally-significant project and can provide a positive boost to the local area, to the region, and to the UK as a whole.”
Arup says Gatwick already supports more than 20,000 jobs directly and a further 10,000 jobs indirectly, and that it could boost wages across the local economy.
New jobs would come in addition to a £3.75m apprenticeship fund Gatwick has already pledged to establish if it is given the green light.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan recently pledged his support for Gatwick expansion over Heathrow’s case during a trip to the airport.
A decision on which airport will be allowed to expand has been repeatedly delayed since the Davies Commission called for a third runway at Heathrow more than a year ago.