About the
Gatwick Region
Airport Economic Zone
The connected choice for
Economic Growth
The Gatwick Region is one of the UK’s leading economic powerhouses, generating £165 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) and contributing 7% of the UK’s economy. Spanning West Sussex, East Sussex, Brighton & Hove, Kent, Surrey and Croydon, and centred around London Gatwick, the region combines world-class connectivity, internationally recognised industry clusters and an exceptional quality of life, making it the connected choice for sustainable economic growth.
Launched in 2025, the Gatwick Region Airport Economic Zone (AEZ) is the UK’s first airport-led economic zone. Led by London Gatwick, it brings together public and private sector partners to leverage the airport’s strategic role, championing inward investment, international trade and the visitor economy while positioning the region as a globally connected destination to invest, trade and visit.
More than a transport hub, London Gatwick is a powerful economic catalyst. Together with the airport’s future growth, including the Northern Runway project, the AEZ is harnessing global connectivity to unlock new opportunities for investment, innovation and employment. Working across traditional boundaries with one unified voice, its purpose is to unlock the region’s collective potential – attracting investment, supporting business growth and creating the conditions for high-quality jobs and long-term, sustainable prosperity for communities across the Gatwick Region.
The development of the AEZ builds on earlier research commissioned to explore how airport-led economic zones operate across the UK and internationally, and what lessons could be applied around Gatwick. The research provided an evidence base for considering Gatwick’s future economic zone, examining different models of collaboration, governance, investment attraction and regional identity, and helping to shape the approach that has since been developed.
Why the
Gatwick
Region
The Gatwick Region offers an exceptional combination of connectivity, innovation, talent and quality of life, making it one of the UK’s most attractive places to invest, grow a business and build a career.
An economic powerhouse
The Gatwick Region contributed £165bn in GVA in 2023 – around 7% of the UK economy. Positioned alongside the West Midlands and Scotland, the region drives jobs, investment and opportunity across a diverse and resilient economic base spanning aviation, advanced engineering, digital and creative industries, financial services, life sciences, clean energy, quantum technologies and AgriTech.
Unrivalled global connectivity
Home to London Gatwick, the UK’s second-largest airport serving around 43 million passengers annually, the Gatwick Region provides seamless global connections. Combined with strong road and rail links and coastal access via Shoreham, Newhaven and Dover, the region is the connected choice for trade, investment and growth.
World-class industry clusters
The Gatwick Region is home to world-class clusters in aviation, aerospace and advanced engineering; digital, AI, cyber and creative industries; financial services; MedTech, BioTech and life sciences; clean energy and quantum technologies; AgriTech and the visitor economy; and education and skills.
A collaborative business ecosystem
A dynamic network of businesses, academia, and local government working in strong partnership to drive growth. Home to leading universities and thriving business hubs like Manor Royal Business District, the region provides robust support for high-growth industries and businesses looking to establish or expand.
An outstanding quality of life
Thriving urban centres and scenic countryside combine to offer residents a high quality of life. Protected green spaces, excellent schools, high-quality housing, and a vibrant cultural and leisure scene sit alongside attractive town centres and easy access to the South Coast and London.
Exceptional investment opportunities
With prime, sustainable development sites, the Gatwick Region offers investors and businesses a platform for long-term success. From commercial and industrial spaces to innovation-led developments, the region is positioned for sustainable, knowledge-driven growth, supported by collaborative partnerships and coordinated regional planning.
Our
Governance
The Gatwick Region Airport Economic Zone has been built on a shared ambition to unlock the collective potential of the region and create a new model for collaborative, airport-powered economic growth.
Formation
The AEZ was developed through engagement with stakeholders involved in shaping the Northern Runway Project Employment, Skills and Business Strategy (ESBS). Recognising the strategic role London Gatwick plays as a global gateway and economic catalyst, the AEZ provides a platform for regional partners to work together to promote investment, innovation, skills and sustainable growth.
In November 2024, London Gatwick established the AEZ Taskforce to progress the concept and bring together expertise from across the region. The taskforce included senior representatives from local authorities, business organisations and key regional stakeholders across the six core areas surrounding London Gatwick: West Sussex, East Sussex, Brighton & Hove, Kent, Surrey and Croydon.
Together, the taskforce shaped the AEZ’s identity, geography, vision and strategic priorities, while identifying shared opportunities across sectors including inward investment, international trade, the visitor economy, infrastructure, skills and innovation.
The AEZ model is designed to be agile, inclusive and collaborative. By creating a single platform for public and private sector partners to work together, it enables the region to speak with one voice, strengthen its international profile and unlock opportunities that benefit businesses, communities and the wider economy.
Funding for the initial establishment and implementation of the AEZ is being provided by London Gatwick, with future delivery supported through the ESBS Fund following the commencement of the Northern Runway Project.
Interim Strategic Advisory Board (ISAB)
To bridge the transition from the AEZ Taskforce to the formation of a future permanent Board, the Interim Strategic Advisory Board (ISAB) was established in July 2026 for an initial 12-month period.
The ISAB provides strategic oversight and guidance during this next phase of the AEZ’s development, supporting continued collaboration across the region while helping to shape the long-term governance and delivery framework.
The objectives of the ISAB are to:
• Strengthen regional collaboration, promotion and influence.
• Design future governance structures, ESBS reporting mechanisms, operational resourcing and terms of reference for the permanent Board.
• Maintain stakeholder engagement and oversee pilot initiatives.
• Advise on the final ESBS regional promotion plan.
Ensuring alignment with relevant national and regional economic policy, including emerging policy opportunities created through devolution, the ISAB brings together senior representatives from business organisations and local authorities and is co-chaired by Gatwick Airport Limited (GAL) and an independent chair.
Membership of the Interim Strategic Advisory Board (ISAB)
Appointed and facilitated by GAL, the business-led Interim Strategic Advisory Board (ISAB) brings together senior representatives from regional businesses, employers and upper-tier local authorities.
The ISAB is jointly led by two co-chairs, providing strategic leadership, challenge and oversight during the AEZ’s formative phase. The co-chair roles are shared between:
- A Gatwick Airport Limited co-chair, representing London Gatwick as the AEZ funder and key accountable body
- An independent AEZ co-chair, providing external leadership, challenge and regional credibility.
The ISAB membership reflects the diverse expertise and priorities needed to support the long-term success of the Gatwick Region Airport Economic Zone. Members represent organisations with a shared commitment to driving sustainable economic growth, strengthening regional collaboration and attracting future inward investment to the Gatwick Region.
London
Gatwick
London Gatwick is leading the creation of an Airport Economic Zone (AEZ), which will support a thriving, resilient and sustainable economy across the airport’s sub-region. As a major regional economic anchor, the airport generated £5.5 billion for the UK economy and supported more than 76,000 jobs in 2023, with the majority of this economic activity taking place across six local authority areas in the South East: West Sussex, East Sussex, Surrey, Kent, Brighton & Hove and Croydon.
The Gatwick Region AEZ will build on this significant economic contribution, leveraging the airport’s position to foster long-term, sustainable economic growth and inward investment across the region.
Read the latest research from leading economists Oxera:
Stay
Connected
Be the first to hear the latest news, events and updates from the Gatwick Region Airport Economic Zone, delivered straight to your inbox.