Saturday, August 24, 2024 London Gatwick Airport has experienced a significant boost in passenger numbers during the first half of 2024, with 19.9 million travelers passing through its terminals. This marks a 7.
7% increase compared to the same period in 2023, driven by the introduction of new long-haul routes and a robust demand for travel. In its recently published interim financial results, the airport attributed this success to the ongoing collaboration with its partners and the dedication of its front-line staff, which have been instrumental in London Gatwick’s continued recovery and strong performance at the start of the year. Key highlights from the 2024 interim results include: London Gatwick’s strong performance in the first half of 2024 underscores its resilience and ability to capitalize on the growing demand for travel.
The airport continues to focus on enhancing its services and expanding its route network to meet the needs of its passengers and maintain its upward trajectory. Stewart Wingate, Chief Executive Officer, London Gatwick, said: “ With the growing demand for travel, we are experiencing one of our busiest summers yet. Thanks to robust planning and close collaboration with our partners we’ve had a strong start to 2024, ensuring a reliable and enjoyable experience for our passengers.
“I am delighted that we have once again achieved good service levels, as evidenced by meeting 100% of our service measures. At the same time, through our Northern Runway Project, we are demonstrating our commitment to growing sustainably, in line with our Decade of Change sustainability strategy and government policy. “ Our teams have worked incredibly hard to achieve these results.
As we continue to grow our network and offer more choice for passengers, we are working towards our vision to be the airport for everyone, whatever your journey.” London Gatwick Experiences Strong Financial Performance as Passenger Traffic Surges London Gatwick Airport is seeing a robust recovery in passenger numbers, reaching 90% of its 2019 levels, thanks to peak holiday travel seasons attracting more travelers. The airport’s strategic focus on developing new long-haul routes to the Middle East, Asia, and North America is broadening its appeal, reinforcing its vision of being an airport for everyone.
Notable recent additions include Singapore Airlines’ flights from London Gatwick, introduced in June, along with new routes by flag carriers to major cities in China and India. London Gatwick is also advancing its plans for sustainable growth. The examination phase for the airport’s Development Consent Order, aimed at bringing the existing Northern Runway into routine use, is set to conclude on August 27.
If approved, the Northern Runway could be operational by the end of the decade. This privately funded project, mainly within the airport’s boundaries, is expected to enhance capacity and resilience, align with the Department for Transport’s policies, and contribute approximately 14,000 new jobs and £1 billion annually to the economy. In its pursuit of sustainability, London Gatwick has launched the London Gatwick Hydrogen Hub in partnership with Airbus, easyJet, and Air Products, marking a significant step toward zero-carbon flights.
This initiative complements the airport’s goal to achieve net zero emissions for Scope 1 and Scope 2 by 2030. Earlier in the year, London Gatwick introduced other eco-friendly measures, including the opening of the GRIDSERVE electric vehicle charging forecourt and the transition to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) in airport vehicles, which will reduce carbon emissions by over 950 tonnes annually. This summer, London Gatwick has maintained a high standard of service, with operational performance meeting 100% of the 276 agreed service measures.
Notably, 96.6% of passengers passed through security in five minutes or less. The airport’s collaboration with its special assistance provider, Wilson James, has ensured comprehensive support for passengers requiring assistance.
Additionally, coordination with air traffic control provider NATS has enabled seamless tower operations, facilitating a smooth summer schedule for airlines and passengers. Enhancements to the passenger experience continue with the expansion of food and beverage options, now featuring popular outlets like Pizza Express, Big Smoke, and Black Sheep Coffee. Travelers also benefit from the recently redeveloped train station, offering a more spacious and efficient transit experience.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) initiated a consultation with airlines earlier this month on London Gatwick’s proposal to extend the Commitments Framework until March 31, 2029. A decision is anticipated by the end of 2024. Extending this framework is expected to bring substantial benefits to passengers and airlines, support long-term investment in sustainable growth, and maintain a lower price ceiling, enhancing London Gatwick’s role as a key player in the aviation sector.
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