London Gatwick, the UK’s second largest airport, is celebrating its four years of operation as a stand-alone airport competing with Heathrow, Stansted and other major European airports for airlines and passengers.
In the past four years, the airport has undertaken major transformation efforts with a £1billion investment which included modernising the forecourt, check-in and security areas; overhauling the departure lounges; and upgrading the departure gates, runway and immigration halls.
Stewart Wingate, London Gatwick’s chief executive, said: ‘Turning round the decades of under-investment in Gatwick, transforming it into a friendly and efficient place to visit, as well as ensuring the airport remains a major international gateway for London and the South East has been my priority over these last four years.’
Today, Gatwick serves major global growth markets including China, Russia, Turkey and, from next year, Indonesia. Gatwick also offers the only direct link between the UK and Vietnam, and is strengthening routes to the Middle East and Africa. The airport now serves 230 worldwide destinations including 45 of the top 50 European business destinations.
The number of passengers choosing to fly from Gatwick has also increased by over four million in four years. Today, 35 million people choose Gatwick, with almost one fifth – 18 percent – travelling on business.
Gatwick claims an ‘unrelenting focus’ on customer service has enabled it to advance six places to become sixth in the European sector of the international Airport Service Quality rankings. It has also passed 100 percent of its security service quality measures since 2012.
‘I would say we are making good headway,’ Wingate said, adding: ‘Looking ahead, and as we enter our fifth year as a competing force in the market, my priorities for the airport won’t change. We will remain focused on delivering high levels of service and affordable prices for our customers, and we will continue to compete for airlines that will help us connect the UK to established and strategic markets. That of course means competing for the UK’s next runway.’
Gatwick has launched a new website – www.transforming-gatwick.com – to illustrate the changes and improvements that have taken place at the airport in the last four years.
