In response to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, Gatwick has announced its decision to consolidate passenger processing and facilities into the airport’s South Terminal and to limit scheduled flights on its runway to between 1400 and 2200 hrs, with effect from April 1, 2020.
The airport’s operations will be consolidated into the South Terminal and the runway will remain open for emergency landings and diversions only outside these hours. The airport has made this decision to protect the health and safety of passengers and staff, and to protect the business following the reduction in passenger traffic, it said.
Stewart Wingate, Chief Executive, Gatwick Airport, said: ‘Gatwick is a resilient but also responsible business and during these extraordinary times we need to take unprecedented measures to protect the health and wellbeing of our staff and passengers, while also shielding the business from the impact of Coronavirus.
‘I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my staff for their continuing hard work through this difficult time and to reassure them that we are taking these difficult decisions now, so that we are in a position to recover quickly and get back to generating jobs and economic benefits for the region and wider economy well into the future.
‘During these extraordinary times, we have also seen remarkable acts of kindness and community spirit in support of people who may need some additional help. To add to this, we will also be providing some opportunities so that any of our staff, who have time during this period of reduced operations, that choose to, can help support people in our local communities.’
The temporary closure of the North Terminal will last for a minimum of one month and the situation will be kept under regular review, the airport said. The North Terminal will be reopened when traffic increases and the government directives to prevent the spread of coronavirus, such as social distancing, is relaxed.
The decision to scale back the airport’s operations has been done in consultation with the airport’s airline partners and any passengers booked on flights due to depart or arrive at Gatwick during this period are advised to contact their airline, it added.
