Gatwick Airport

Gatwick Airport is a major international airport located in Crawley, West Sussex, approximately 30 miles south of central London. It is the second-busiest airport in the United Kingdom by total passenger traffic and serves as a significant hub for easyJet, British Airways, and numerous other low-cost carriers and full-service airlines. The airport features two terminals, North and South, connected by a rapid transit system, and operates a unique layout with two closely spaced parallel runways, only one of which can be used at a time.

History

The site's aviation history began in the 1930s when it was developed from a former horse racing course, with British Airways Ltd operating early scheduled flights to Paris and other European cities. Following World War II, the airport was significantly expanded and reopened in 1958 with a groundbreaking circular terminal design and a direct rail link, the first of its kind in the world. Ownership has passed through entities like the British Airports Authority and BAA Limited, before being acquired by its current owner, Global Infrastructure Partners. Major developments include the opening of the North Terminal in 1988 and a major refurbishment of the South Terminal for the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Facilities

The airport's two main terminals house extensive shopping and dining options, including duty-free outlets operated by World Duty Free and lounges run by No.1 Traveller and various airlines. The South Terminal is the original and larger base for many carriers, while the North Terminal serves as the primary home for easyJet. A key feature is the 1.2-kilometer automated people mover that shuttles passengers between terminals. Other notable facilities include the Hilton London Gatwick Airport hotel and significant air cargo operations managed by companies like Menzies Aviation.

Airlines and destinations

As a leading base for low-cost carriers, easyJet operates the largest network of routes from here to destinations across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. British Airways maintains a substantial short-haul operation alongside long-haul services to places like Barbados and Toronto. Other major carriers include TUI Airways, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Ryanair, and Virgin Atlantic, which flies to destinations such as Orlando and Las Vegas. The airport serves over 200 destinations in more than 70 countries, facilitating connections through global airline alliances like Oneworld and Star Alliance.

Ground transport

is exceptionally well-connected, featuring its own railway station located in the South Terminal with frequent services operated by Gatwick Express, Southern, and Thameslink to London Victoria, London Bridge, and other key stations. Major motorways like the M23 (linking to the M25) provide road access, with numerous National Express and local bus services. The airport is also a major hub for taxis and ride-hailing services, with dedicated ranks and pick-up zones.

Statistics

In 2023, it handled approximately 40.9 million passengers, making it one of the busiest single-runway airports in the world. Aircraft movements totaled around 251,000, with the top destinations including Dublin, Barcelona, and Amsterdam. Cargo volume was significant, processing about 72,000 tonnes. Historically, passenger numbers peaked at over 46 million prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the airport consistently ranking behind only Heathrow Airport in the UK for total traffic.

Incidents and accidents

Notable events include the crash of a British European Airways Vickers Viscount in 1958 shortly after takeoff, which led to improvements in air traffic control procedures. In 1974, a Balkan Bulgarian Airlines Tupolev Tu-154 was involved in a mid-air collision with an Invex Airlines Douglas DC-9 near the airport. More recently, in 2018, drone sightings caused major disruption, leading to the cancellation of hundreds of flights and prompting reviews of airspace security legislation by the Department for Transport. The airport has also been the site of several high-profile security alerts and evacuations.