THESE are the first designs showing what Gatwick would look like if bosses are given the go-ahead to build a second runway.

Leading UK architect Sir Terry Farrell, who is behind the blueprints, said the second runway would turn Gatwick into a “world class airport.”

His firm, Farrells, was part of the design team for Incheon Airport in Seoul, South Korea. It was twice voted the best airport in the world by Skytrax, a consultancy firm which runs an airline and airport review and ranking website.

New images released yesterday show an expanded Gatwick with a series of improvements to eliminate queues, speed up passenger transit and help it become the world’s most efficient two-runway airport.

Sir Terry said: “Our proposals for Gatwick are not just for another runway but an entirely new world class airport for London and the UK. Heathrow cannot deliver that.

“Our vision for Gatwick is that it becomes the world’s most efficient two-runway airport – flexible and responsive to meet the changing needs of passengers and airlines.

“With an elegant and simple terminal layout, we have designed a direct and straightforward route from curbside to plane, creating a seamless passenger experience. Queues have literally been designed out and the new terminal will be simple and convenient to use with minimal changes of level.

“The airfield itself will also offer the shortest taxiing distances possible with the new apron [where planes are parked] sitting between, and in close-proximity to, both the existing and new runways.”

He added: “By providing a second runway at Gatwick, we will create a much more balanced system and capitalise on the connectivity we already have in London.

“A second runway would turbocharge economic growth in the South East and do for South London what the Olympics did for East London.”

The Airports Commission is set to make its recommendation to government in the next few weeks about whether Gatwick or Heathrow should expand.

The plans come a day after Gatwick announced record passenger numbers and increased profits. Bosses say a second runway could be operational by 2025.

Gatwick bosses claim they can have a second runway operational by 2025, quicker than the Airports Commission estimate for the two Heathrow expansion schemes.

Gatwick CEO Stewart Wingate said: “Our plans are simpler, cheaper, faster and quieter while also helping create a more competitive network of UK airports that every passenger can benefit from.

“In a lengthy, complex debate, Gatwick has remained the simple, obvious solution throughout - it is time we are given the green light to deliver the new runway the UK needs.”