Gatwick Airport

Gatwick Airport is a major international airport located in Crawley, West Sussex, England, approximately 29.5 miles south of Central London. It is the second-busiest airport by total passenger traffic in the United Kingdom, after Heathrow Airport, and is one of the busiest single-runway airports in the world, serving as a hub for British Airways, EasyJet, and Virgin Atlantic. The airport is owned and operated by Gatwick Airport Limited, a subsidiary of Global Infrastructure Partners, which also owns Edinburgh Airport and London City Airport. London Gatwick Airport is a significant contributor to the local economy, with connections to Manchester Airport, Birmingham Airport, and Bristol Airport.

Overview

Gatwick Airport is situated near the M23 motorway and is connected to London Victoria station by regular Thameslink and Southern train services. The airport has two terminals, the North Terminal and the South Terminal, which are connected by a shuttle train. Gatwick Airport has a single runway, which is 3,316 meters long and 45 meters wide, and is equipped with Instrument Landing System (ILS) and Category III landing systems, allowing for operations in low-visibility conditions. The airport is also home to the Gatwick Aviation Museum and is near the British Wildlife Centre and the Lingfield Park horse racing track.

History

The history of Gatwick Airport dates back to the 1920s, when it was a small airfield used for private flying and flying lessons. During World War II, the airfield was used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) as a base for Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane fighter aircraft. In the 1950s, the airport was expanded and modernized, with the construction of a new terminal building and the extension of the runway. The airport was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1958 and has since become one of the busiest airports in the world, with connections to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, and Frankfurt Airport. The airport has also been used as a base for Concorde supersonic flights and has hosted several high-profile events, including the London 2012 Olympics and the Rugby World Cup 2015.

Facilities

Gatwick Airport has a range of facilities, including restaurants, bars, and shops, as well as a Bureau de Change and an ATM. The airport also has a number of lounges, including the No1 Lounge and the Clubrooms, which offer complimentary food and drink, as well as Wi-Fi and shower facilities. The airport is also home to several hotels, including the Hilton London Gatwick Airport and the Sofitel London Gatwick, which offer convenient accommodation for passengers. The airport is also near the University of Sussex and the University of Brighton, and is connected to Oxford University and Cambridge University by regular bus services.

Operations

Gatwick Airport is operated by Gatwick Airport Limited, which is responsible for the day-to-day management of the airport. The airport is also regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of the airport. The airport has a number of airlines operating from it, including British Airways, EasyJet, and Virgin Atlantic, which offer flights to destinations around the world, including New York John F. Kennedy International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, and Dubai International Airport. The airport is also a hub for cargo flights, with companies such as DHL and FedEx operating from the airport.

Statistics

Gatwick Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, with over 46 million passengers passing through it in 2020. The airport has a range of statistics, including the number of passengers, flights, and cargo handled, which are published on a regular basis. The airport is also a significant contributor to the local economy, with thousands of people employed at the airport and millions of pounds spent on goods and services. The airport is connected to London Heathrow Airport, London Stansted Airport, and London Luton Airport by regular bus and train services, and is also near the M25 motorway and the A23 road.

Ground Transport

Gatwick Airport is connected to Central London by regular train services, including the Gatwick Express and Thameslink trains, which run from the airport to London Victoria station and London Bridge station. The airport is also connected to other parts of the country by regular bus services, including the National Express coach service, which runs from the airport to London Victoria Coach Station and other destinations. The airport is also near the M23 motorway and the A23 road, which provide connections to other parts of the country, including Brighton and Hove, Crawley, and Redhill. The airport is also connected to London City Airport and Heathrow Airport by regular bus and train services, and is near the Port of Dover and the Port of Southampton. Category:Airports in the United Kingdom