While only slightly slower, the King Air 250 requires about one-third less runway at sea level than most small-cabin jets, and it is particularly adept at short, rugged or unimproved airstrips and high and hot mountain airports, which allows for greater access to hundreds of additional small communities.
Opponents, including East Surrey MP Sam Gyimah, said the new runway would create an unacceptable level of noise and pollution and destroy the landscape.