Officials Say Numbers Bolster Expansion Case

Gatwick is the solution to Britain’s aviation capacity saga. That was the assessment of Gatwick CEO Stewart Wingate as the airport announced its 34th consecutive month of traffic growth.

Gatwick achieved its busiest ever December with 2.7 million passengers travelling through the airport, a 4.7% increase on the previous year.

Long-haul routes performed particularly strongly +7.6% year on year with North Atlantic routes driving this growth +14.7% on December 2014. Destinations contributing to this significant North Atlantic growth include Las Vegas +53.0%, Los Angeles +49.9% Toronto +22.8%.

Strong growth was also seen from winter sun destinations with Goa +25.6%, Jamaica +7.7%, Dubai +12.1% and Barbados +11.3%.

An additional 120,578 passengers travelled through London Gatwick in December compared to the same month in 2014. Passenger growth is the result of more air traffic movements per hour and larger aircraft being used by airlines. Average load factors were 78.5%.

“2015 was a record-breaking year for Gatwick as the airport continued to break new ground. We served 40.3 million passengers - the most from any single runway anywhere in the world,” Wingate said.

“Since independent ownership in 2009 we have grown rapidly and the benefits of competition are clear for passengers - more choice, higher standards and lower fares.

“A Government decision this year backing Gatwick expansion will mean that Britain finally solves its long standing problem of airport capacity in the South East. Our plan is legal, affordable, cleaner and quieter and will deliver for Britain.”

The Government is currently considering whether London Gatwick or Heathrow should be permitted to build a new runway.

(Source: Gatwick airport news release. Images from file)

FMI: www.gatwickairport.com