Gatwick Airport North Terminal

Gatwick Airport North Terminal
Mike McBey · CC BY 2.0 · source
Name	Gatwick Airport North Terminal
Iata	LGW
Icao	EGKK
Type	Public
Owner	Gatwick Airport Limited
Operator	Gatwick Airport Limited
City-served	London
Location	Crawley, West Sussex
Elevation-f	198
Elevation-m	60
Map type	United Kingdom West Sussex

Gatwick Airport North Terminal is one of the principal passenger terminals at London Gatwick Airport, serving short-haul and long-haul scheduled and charter services. Opened to complement the South Terminal, the North Terminal functions as a hub for a mix of legacy carriers, low-cost airlines, and regional operators, interfacing with national transport infrastructure such as Gatwick Airport railway station, M25 motorway, and A23 road. The terminal has undergone multiple redevelopments involving firms, contractors and consultants linked to projects like those at Heathrow Airport, Stansted Airport, and Manchester Airport.

History

The North Terminal was developed during the late 20th century as British Airports Authority initiatives expanded capacity at London Gatwick Airport. Early phases involved planners and architects influenced by post-war projects including London Heathrow Terminal 1 and modernisation work associated with Civil Aviation Authority regulations. Ownership and management transitions saw involvement from entities such as BAA plc, Global Infrastructure Partners, and Vinci Airports in airport-wide strategies. Major refurbishments in the 1990s and 2000s responded to rising passenger numbers driven by carriers including British Airways, easyJet, and Thomson Airways (now TUI Airways). The terminal’s operational history intersects with events like air travel deregulation following the Bermuda II arrangements and the expansion of the European Union single aviation market.

Design and Architecture

Architectural conception for the North Terminal drew on precedents set by terminals at Zurich Airport and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, aiming for linear concourses and clear wayfinding used at Singapore Changi Airport and Hong Kong International Airport. The terminal incorporates structural engineering techniques similar to those employed at Canary Wharf and nods to modernist terminal design seen at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport. Design teams coordinated with consultants experienced in International Air Transport Association standards and airport security frameworks informed by post-Lockerbie bombing aviation responses. The building features glazing, steel trusses, and modular retail zones comparable to developments at Gatwick Airport South Terminal and integrates baggage handling systems influenced by installations at Frankfurt Airport.

Facilities and Services

Passenger services include check-in halls, security screening areas, departure lounges, and immigration processing comparable to facilities at London City Airport and Birmingham Airport. Retail and hospitality offerings bring together brands and franchises familiar from airports such as Heathrow Terminal 5 and Manchester Airport Terminal 2, with lounges operated by carriers like British Airways and third-party lounges aligned with networks such as Priority Pass. Ground handling, cargo coordination, and maintenance operations work alongside firms like Swissport and dnata. Accessibility services reflect guidelines from authorities including Civil Aviation Authority and disability advocacy groups such as Scope (charity). Passenger information systems adhere to standards set by IATA and Airports Council International.

Airlines and Destinations

The North Terminal hosts a mix of legacy and low-cost carriers similar to the airline mix at London Stansted Airport. Notable operators have included easyJet, British Airways, TUI Airways, Norwegian Air Shuttle, and regional operators like Loganair. Destinations span domestic routes to Manchester Airport and Edinburgh Airport and international markets served via connections to hubs such as Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Charles de Gaulle Airport, Frankfurt Airport, Dubai International Airport, and seasonal leisure routes to airports in Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Turkey. Airline route planning is influenced by market forces seen in alliances such as Oneworld, Star Alliance, and SkyTeam.

Ground Transport and Access

Access integrates rail, road, and bus networks linked to infrastructure projects like the Brighton Main Line and the Gatwick Express service connecting to London Victoria station. Road access utilises the M23 motorway, A23 road, and proximity to the M25 motorway orbital route. Coach and bus operators including National Express and Stagecoach Group provide links to regional centres such as Brighton, Croydon, and Haywards Heath. Parking, taxi, and drop-off arrangements coordinate with municipal authorities in Crawley and West Sussex County Council and follow policies influenced by Transport for London interchange planning and national rail timetable integration managed by Network Rail.

Incidents and Safety

Safety management follows protocols enforced by the Civil Aviation Authority, with incident responses coordinated with entities including Metropolitan Police Service when events involve security. Historical incidents at the airport complex have prompted reviews similar to those after notable events at Heathrow Airport and Gatwick Airport overall, influencing upgrades to passenger screening and perimeter security used across European airports governed by European Union Aviation Safety Agency guidelines. Emergency planning engages local emergency services, including Sussex Police and Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, in drills and contingency exercises.

Future Developments and Expansion

Planned investments reflect airport-wide capacity strategies aligning with proposals seen in masterplans from Heathrow Airport and regional schemes endorsed by West Sussex County Council. Potential upgrades under discussion have included enhancements to terminal circulation, retail optimisation influenced by trends at Changi Airport, sustainability measures inspired by Amsterdam Airport Schiphol carbon initiatives, and surface access improvements coordinated with Network Rail and local transport authorities. Any expansion proposals are subject to regulatory oversight from the Civil Aviation Authority and planning consent processes involving local councils and statutory consultees.

Category:Airports in West Sussex Category:Buildings and structures in Crawley