We're excited to lead the creation of an Airport Economic Zone (AEZ), which will support a thriving, resilient and sustainable economy in London Gatwick's sub-region. The Gatwick Region AEZ will leverage the airport's position as a regional economic anchor to foster long-term, sustainable economic growth and inward investment, by:
Promoting the region as a place to do business, work, live, visit and invest
Collaborating across existing legislative boundaries for common goals and collective gain
Advocating and promoting regional inward investment, including foreign direct investment, assisted by strong links to the Department for Business and Trade
Speaking with a unified voice to national Government and other key legislative bodies to harness and utilise local and national political power
Exploring opportunities for the zone to secure mobile international capital
Building on economic development work already being conducted within the airport region
Achieving long-term, sustained economic development across a region surrounding London Gatwick
Airport Economic Zones are an internationally recognised concept. Identifiable and branded collaborative public-private sector partnerships, with an airport at their geographical core, promoting wider long-term sustainable regional economic development.
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Global companies and investors are unlikely to have an in-depth knowledge of the UK and its economy beyond London. An AEZ is a way to resolve this, by shaping a brand identity and providing support for the region to gain international recognition and promote inward investment.
Despite being one of the most economically successful regions in the UK, recent government statistics show that the region has been performing below other regions in terms of attracting foreign direct investment. To compete on a national and international stage for investment and talent, our region needs a unified voice, able to clearly define and articulate the region's identity, attributes and assets.
We have established a taskforce, comprising senior economic development and business leaders from across the six authority areas of West Sussex, East Sussex, Surrey, and Kent, the unitary authority of Brighton & Hove and the London Borough of Croydon.
The taskforce is responsible for determining the exact geography of the Gatwick Region AEZ, drafting and approving Terms of Reference, defining the role and membership of the Board, identifying candidates for the position of an independent Chair and shaping the overall brand identity of the Gatwick Region AEZ.
If you have any questions or interest in the AEZ, please email us.
Our first taskforce meeting took place in January 2025. You can find some of the key outcomes of that meeting below.
Geography
The Gatwick Region AEZ will primarily cover West Sussex, East Sussex, Brighton & Hove, Surrey, Croydon, and Kent. However, its boundaries will remain flexible, enabling the AEZ to adapt and capitalise on economic growth in neighbouring areas.
Devolution
The establishment of the Gatwick Region AEZ underscores the region's commitment to the devolution agenda. It highlights the strength of the existing public-private sector collaboration and amplifies a unified 'one regional voice' to the government, highlighting the importance of the region and driving forward the area's economic ambitions.
Brand/UKREiiF
The Gatwick Region AEZ will officially launch at the UK Real Estate and Infrastructure Conference (UKREiiF) in Leeds this May. Featuring a dedicated exhibition space and a robust programme of activities, the launch will showcase the new brand that had been approved by the taskforce. This initiative is funded by London Gatwick in association with Gatwick Diamond Initiative, and in partnership with a broad coalition of regional stakeholders.
Stakeholder Engagement
To ensure comprehensive engagement with key stakeholders, the AEZ will host roundtable discussions in early February. The first will focus on education providers from across the region, while the second will involve district and borough representatives, fostering collaboration and shared priorities.
Our impact on local economy
London Gatwick is already a major catalyst for growth, contributing 76,500 jobs and £5.5 billion to the UK economy every year. The AEZ aims to build on this regionally, by unlocking new trade, tourism, and benefits for business, and attracting global investment for the region.
Northern Runway Plans
London Gatwick is awaiting a government decision on a £2.2 billion investment plan to bring its existing standby Northern Runway into routine use, which if approved will create a further 14,000 jobs and generate £1 billion in economic benefits every year. These plans include an Employment, Skills, and Business Strategy, supported by a £20 million fund, which would provide a further funding boost for the AEZ.
