With new figures showing an annual increase in passengers of 6%, London’s Gatwick Airport has announced plans to invest £250m (US$312m) over the next year. There is already a scheme underway to expand the airport’s North and South terminals, with more parking and an updated railway station, as part of a £1.2bn (US$1.49bn) project lasting five years.
In January 2017, there will also be changes as three of Gatwick’s major carriers move terminals – British Airways will move to the South Terminal, Virgin to the North, and EasyJet will consolidate its operations at the North Terminal.
The announcement of the extra £250m came as the airport published its interim financial year results. Long-haul routes have grown 21%, versus the same six months last year, with North Atlantic routes up 40%. This is in part to many of the airlines offering new routes, with more to be introduced over the next six months. The new figures also revealed Gatwick’s importance to the UK economy, with domestic routes growing by 7%.
Stewart Wingate, CEO of Gatwick Airport, said, “We continue to grow strongly, breaking records as passengers respond to the variety on offer at the airport, with low-cost, charter airlines and full services airlines. Our long-haul routes have grown 21%, with the very latest of these, British Airways’s new route to Cape Town, starting today. Next summer, Gatwick will start the UK’s only direct route to Xi’an in central China – home of the Terracotta Army.
“Today’s announcement demonstrates Gatwick’s ongoing commitment to our development and growth, maintaining our vital role within the UK economy as we continue to offer the UK government a credible and deliverable option for runway expansion.”
