Communities and stakeholders invited to have their say on London Gatwick’s Route 4 Airspace Change Proposal
- 14-week public consultation on proposals for reintroducing satellite-based navigational procedures to Route 4 - one of nine departure routes from London Gatwick
- Proposal forms part of a UK government programme to modernise the UK’s airspace
London Gatwick is inviting communities and stakeholders to have their say on options for the future operation of Route 4 – one of the departure routes for aircraft flying out of the Airport – as part of an Airspace Change Proposal (ACP).
The 14-week public consultation seeks to gather feedback from communities and stakeholders on proposals for reintroducing satellite-based navigational procedures to Route 4.
Route 4 is one of nine departure routes from London Gatwick. Planes flying Route 4 take-off in a westerly direction from the main runway, before turning 180 degrees northwards and heading east to their final destination.
As part of a UK government programme to modernise the UK’s airspace, airports are required to adopt new navigational procedures which use modern, satellite-based technology.
The original Route 4 airspace change was initiated in 2012 and satellite-based navigational procedures were first introduced on all nine departure routes from the Main Runway at London Gatwick, including Route 4, in 2013. However, due to regulatory and legal challenges, this technology was subsequently withdrawn on Route 4 in 2019.
Since then, London Gatwick has undertaken extensive work to progress an ACP to reintroduce the new navigational procedures on Route 4 and overcome issues identified in the legal challenge.
The reintroduction of satellite-based navigational procedures on Route 4 is essential because the ground-based infrastructure which supports conventional navigation is gradually being phased out as part of a national modernisation programme. All of London Gatwick’s other arrival and Main Runway departure routes have already successfully adopted the new navigation procedures.
In addition to being a regulatory requirement, the proposals could also help to deliver benefits for some communities including reduced noise and environmental impacts.
A public consultation on the four shortlisted options for the future operation of Route 4 will run from Tuesday 20 January 2026 to 23:59 on Tuesday 28 April 2026. There are a range of ways to take part in the consultation, learn more about the shortlisted options for Route 4, and comment on the proposals.
How can communities and stakeholders take part in the consultation?
Communities and stakeholders can participate in the consultation in various ways, including:
Attending one of the drop-in consultation events
Attending one of the online webinars
Viewing printed copies of the consultation materials at one of the deposit locations
Visiting the website www.route4acp.co.uk
Residents and stakeholders should provide feedback via the Citizen Space website: route4acp.co.uk
London Gatwick will also accept postal responses to its Freepost address: ‘Freepost ROUTE 4 CONSULTATION’. The deadline for providing feedback is 23:59 on Tuesday 28 April 2026.
All comments submitted during the consultation will be recorded, carefully considered and will be taken into account when further developing the proposals. A Consultation Report will be submitted alongside the final proposal to demonstrate how London Gatwick has taken account of the feedback received.
Residents and stakeholders can contact London Gatwick with questions about this ACP, or request assistance in responding to the consultation, via the following channels:
Website: route4acp.co.uk
Email: LGWairspace.Rte4@gatwickairport.com
Freephone: 0808 303 4560
Freepost: Freepost ROUTE 4 CONSULTATION
Consultation events:
Date | Time | Venue |
Thursday 12 February 2026 | 2pm to 8pm | Reigate Manor Reigate Hill, RH2 9PF |
Saturday 7 March 2026 | 10am to 4pm | Sandman Signature Hotel 18-23 Tinsley Ln S, Three Bridges, Crawley RH10 8XH |
Monday 16 March 2026 | 2pm to 8pm | Donnington Manor Hotel London Rd, Dunton Green, Sevenoaks TN13 2TD |
Tuesday 24 March 2026 | 2pm to 8pm | Denbies Vineyard Bradley Ln, Dorking RH5 6AA |
Webinars:
Date | Time | Registration Link |
Tuesday 10 February | 6pm-7pm | |
Monday 23 February | 11am -12pm | |
Wednesday 4 March | 7pm-8pm | |
Thursday 12 March | 6pm-7pm | |
Wednesday 18 March | 2pm – 3pm | |
Thursday 26 March | 5:30pm-6:30pm |
Deposit points:
Venue | Address | Opening Hours | ||||||
MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | SAT | SUN | ||
Dorking Library | St Martin’s Walk, Dorking RH4 1UT | 09:30-17:30 | 09:30-19:00 | 09:30-17:30 | 09:30-19:00 | 09:30-17:30 | 09:30-17:00 | Closed |
Reigate Library | Bancroft House, Bancroft Road, Reigate RH2 7RP | Closed | 09:30-17:00 | 09:30-17:00 | 09:30-17:00 | 09:30-17:00 | 09:30-17:00 | Closed |
Horley Library | 55-57 Russell Square, Victoria Road, Horley RH6 7QH | Closed | 09:30-17:00 | 09:30-17:00 | 09:30-17:00 | 09:30-17:00 | 09:30-17:00 | Closed |
Edenbridge Library | The Eden Centre, Four Elms Road, Edenbridge TN8 6BY | 09:00-13:00 | 09:00-17:00 | 09:00-17:00 | 09:00-17:00 | 13:00-17:00 | 10:00-15:00 | Closed |
What is Route 4?
Route 4 is one of nine departure routes from London Gatwick. Planes flying Route 4 take-off in a westerly direction from the main runway, before turning 180 degrees northwards and heading east to their final destination.
Further information can be found in our Main Consultation Document on:
What is airspace?
Why are changes to Route 4 needed?
What has happened on Route 4 in the past?
How does the airspace change process work?
How long is the public consultation, and what activities are taking place in the public consultation?
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