Airport investment is accelerating across the UK, opening up a wave of new construction opportunities.

Despite worries about elevated oil prices and potential jet fuel shortages this summer, several major airports are pressing ahead with expansion and modernisation programmes. Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, Manchester and Bristol all have schemes in motion or in planning. While a third runway at Heathrow may still be years away, a substantial capital programme to upgrade existing facilities is being lined up.

Sector momentum is underlined in the April Glenigan Construction Review, which reports airport-related infrastructure starts rising to £202 million in the three months to March, accounting for 13% of all civil engineering project starts over the period.

At London Gatwick, planning permission is in place for the £2.2 billion North Runway project, due to begin next year and lift capacity from 61 million to 74 million passengers annually. Bechtel is the project manager (Project ID: 03225160).

Further opportunities at Gatwick include the £10 million Hangar 7 scheme in West Sussex, where tenders have been returned and work is expected to commence later this year (Project ID: 25609119). A £595,000 extension at the South Terminal is also scheduled to start before year-end (Project ID: 18107741).

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At Stansted Airport in north Essex, Laing O'Rourke has been named main contractor for a £150 million passenger terminal extension. Due to get underway this summer and run for 18 months, the scheme comprises a three-bay extension to the existing building and three walkways totalling 16,500 sq m.

A separate £480 million infrastructure scheme at Stansted to deliver two new taxiways across a 7-hectare site is also poised to proceed, with a potential start later this year.

In Bedfordshire, detailed consent has been granted and the government is backing a £2.4 billion expansion at Luton Airport that would almost double capacity to 32 million passengers per year. Although environmental legal challenges have caused delays, work is pencilled to start early next year and run for 36 months.

At Manchester Airport, the £440 million terminal modernisation programme is nearing completion. In addition, Kier Construction (North West) has been appointed civil engineering contractor for a £65 million rail platform remodelling to accommodate future passenger growth, due to begin this summer and last 35 months.

Regional capacity is also set to increase. At Bristol International Airport, Farrans began a £30 million South Terminal extension this spring.

Meanwhile, outline plans have been submitted for a £289.2 million expansion at Bristol to raise annual capacity to 15 million passengers. If approved, the 86,000+ sq m scheme could start next spring and run for 24 months.

Regardless of the fate of Heathrow's third runway, plans have been revealed for a major redevelopment of Terminal 4, including a new multi-storey car park and an upgraded check-in hall, alongside a dedicated baggage system for Terminal 2. Valued at £1.3 billion, the project could begin this autumn, subject to approval, and run for 62 months.