Have travel documents, including passports, available and taken out of any wallets
Stay in family groups.
Check live flight arrivals before you leave home
Contact the passenger you're meeting
November 23rd 2011
Gatwick to Nice flights announced
British Airways is set to launch a new service from Gatwick to Nice next year.
Flights will commence in March 2012 and operate three times per day.
BA will continue to operate it flights to Nice from Heathrow and London City Airports.
October 29th 2011
Easy Jet increases Gatwick to Barcelona services
Easy Jet has announced it will add an extra daily flight between Gatwick and Barcelona.
The additional flights will commence on Friday 6 January 2012 bringing the total number of daily flights between the two destinations to six, and adding an extra 2500 seats per month.
Paul Simmons, Easy Jet’s UK Director, said: “Due to increased demand we are adding extra frequency on our popular Gatwick to Barcelona route, making it even more accessible for both business and leisure passengers in the region.
“The fact that we are Gatwick’s largest airline reflects Easy Jet’s commitment to providing travellers in the region with the best choice of destinations, at convenient times and at the lowest possible fares.”
October 19th 2011
Gatwick to Kefalonia flights announced
Easy Jet has announced the introduction of a new service from Gatwick Airport.
Gatwick flights to the Greek Island of Kefalonia will commence on 28 April 2012, operating three times per week until the end of October 2012.
October 15th 2011
Gatwick Airport opens new South Terminal Security area
Gatwick pioneers use of technology to get each passenger through security in under five minutes
Passengers access security by swiping their boarding cards
Screens displaying queue times for different colour coded lanes give passengers choice of which lane to use
Gatwick Airport today announces the launch of its new South Terminal Security area. Opened by Rt. Hon. Theresa Villiers MP, Minister of State for Transport, the state-of-the-art facilities will see passengers benefitting from a fast, smart and efficient security experience.
Processing every passenger in under five minutes, 19 new security lanes will allow almost 5,000 people per hour to pass straight through into the departure lounge. This large, high-tech security area for the South Terminal will include 15 standard lanes for passengers, two dedicated lanes for families with young children and passengers with reduced mobility, and two lanes for premium travellers.
Stewart Wingate, CEO, Gatwick Airport commented: “We’re committed to making the airport experience an easier, speedier and less stressful experience for our passengers.
“We have improved every aspect of security - from the preparation area right through to the moment passengers hit the lounge - and are confident that the changes we have made will make a huge difference to all those travelling through the airport.”
A spacious preparation area has been positioned ahead of the main security area specifically designed to help passengers get themselves ready to go through security. Large plasma screens giving instructions in five different languages also help passengers understand exactly what they can and can’t take through security.
In addition, passengers travelling through the new security area in the South Terminal will benefit from security access gates where passengers simply swipe their boarding card or Smartphone displaying their boarding card*. Another useful and customer-centric feature of the new security area are the colour-coded lanes with screens displaying the actual queue time, enabling passengers to choose the lane they want to use.
October 14th 2011
EasyJet increases Gatwick to Barcelona services
EasyJet has announced it will add an extra daily flight between Gatwick and Barcelona.
The additional flights will commence on Friday 6 January 2012 bringing the total number of daily flights between the two destinations to six, and adding an extra 2500 seats per month.
Paul Simmons, EasyJet’s UK Director, said: “Due to increased demand we are adding extra frequency on our popular Gatwick to Barcelona route, making it even more accessible for both business and leisure passengers in the region.
September 12th 2011
Gatwick to Fuerteventura flights announced
Easy Jet is to launch flights from Gatwick to Fuerteventura.
The new route will commence on 28 March 2012 and operate twice weekly.
September 9th 2011
*** IMPORTANT FORECOURT INFORMATION ***
Work is currently underway to re-design forecourts at Gatwick's South Terminal.
Passenger numbers at the South Terminal are growing and so is the number of cars accessing the terminal Forecourts. The following changes have now been put in place at the forecourts in South Terminal:
Private Vehicles
Private vehicles dropping off passengers are to use the Lower Forecourt only. Gatwick Airport is doubling the number of car park spaces on the Lower Forecourt to accommodate this move including a disabled parking area.
Private vehicles picking up passengers from the airport will be directed to use Short Stay Car Park 3 (orange). A new tariff which includes disabled parking in Short Stay Car Park 3 will allow 15 minutes parking time at a cost of £1. Express coaches and on airport car park buses will still use the Upper Forecourt to drop off and collect passengers awaiting onward travel.
Taxis
Gatwick Airport licensed taxi hire company Checker Cars will still use the Upper Forecourt. All other taxi operators will be directed to use the Lower Forecourt to drop off and pick up will be from the Short Stay Car Park 3.
Car rental and official airport car valet will still be accessed via the Lower Forecourt.
Off-airport car park buses and hotel courtesy buses will be accommodated within the coach station which has just benefited from a £1.5 million programme to improve facilities.
September 6th 2011
Gatwick Airport launches ‘The Beehive’ - a new beer and bar for passengers
Gatwick Airport aims to bring a buzz to the South Terminal with the launch of a brand new bar and restaurant named 'The Beehive'.
Located before security on a newly created mezzanine level overlooking the recently renovated South Terminal arrivals, this new offering from J D Wetherspoon is well positioned to provide a welcoming environment for passengers arriving in the UK and for family and friends awaiting their arrival.
To mark its opening, Gatwick will also see its very own specially brewed ale from Loddon Brewery, 'The Beehive Ale', on sale alongside a wide range of international draught beers.
The food menu has been carefully designed to meet the needs of all passengers. For example, the eggs benedict at breakfast or a lighter lunch of roasted vegetable & couscous salad or gigante asparagus tortellini may appeal to the business traveller; for families, the gourmet burger range and smaller pasta dishes should prove popular with children.
Passengers can expect a warm and welcoming dining area, a seating area for more relaxed gatherings and a main bar area which offers space to take in the view. Guy Stephenson, Commercial Director for Gatwick said: "The Beehive is set at the heart of arrivals where people need a friendly place to wait for and meet loved ones and reflects the modern, welcoming, customer-focused environment we are constantly striving to create.
Gatwick and J D Wetherspoon will also be teaming up over the next few days to offer a prize to passengers who check-in at Gatwick using location based social media network Gowalla. A code will be revealed which can be redeemed for a special prize at The Beehive.
The Beehive joins renowned restaurant brands Giraffe and Apostrophe which opened earlier this year offering passengers good quality international food.
August 30th 2011
Lufthansa launches at Gatwick with daily service to Frankfurt
Lufthansa chooses Gatwick to boost its services to Frankfurt
Gatwick’s competing and winning new airlines, creating more choice for passengers
Gatwick Airport has welcomed Lufthansa - the national flag carrier of Germany - by offering business and leisure passengers double-daily flights to Frankfurt, one of Europe’s biggest hub airports - from 30 October 2011.
Flights will depart from Gatwick daily at 0950 and 1740, arriving into Frankfurt at 1225 and 2015, with the return leg leaving Frankfurt at 0845 and 1625 and landing back into Gatwick at 0910 and 1650. Lufthansa will operate the Boeing 737-500 aircraft which flies 120 passengers in a typical two-class cabin layout.
Passengers already have over 200 destinations to choose from when flying from Gatwick - more than any other UK airport - and by connecting Gatwick to Frankfurt, Lufthansa has opened up even more travel opportunities. The airline offers flights from Frankfurt to 84 countries, which means passengers in the South East of England can explore far-flung places such as Beijing and Buenos Aires with far greater ease from their local London airport - Gatwick.
The arrival of Lufthansa and its flights to Frankfurt - the largest financial centre in Germany and continental Europe - will help Gatwick build and strengthen its business travel offering. Over 50% of the seats on the Lufthansa flights from Gatwick are expected to be taken up by the business traveller.
Guy Stephenson, Gatwick Airport’s Commercial Director said: “It is great to welcome Lufthansa and strengthen the links between the financial and economic centres of London and Frankfurt. Around 1.5 million passengers travel to Frankfurt from London each year so we expect a good take up on this route from Gatwick.”
This is one of a number of airlines that Gatwick has attracted recently, others include Vietnam Airlines, Air Nigeria, airberlin, Norwegian, Aerosvit-Ukraine Airlines and Rossiya-Russian Airlines. They recognise that Gatwick provides a wide choice of onward travel possibilities and that of all of London's airports, Gatwick has the quickest and most direct link into central London.
August 26th 2011
Gatwick is making it easier for returning holidaymakers
Gatwick becomes the first airport to provide dedicated family lanes in the immigration halls
New automated ePassport gates enable passengers to speed through immigration
Gatwick, working in partnership with the UK Border Agency, has introduced improvements in the immigration halls that help to reduce queue times and provide a better service for those who might need it, including passengers with children and those with reduced mobility.
Geoff Williams, Head of Security at Gatwick Airport said, ”We understand that the return journey can often feel long and exhausting. This is especially true if you are travelling with young children and you just want to get back home as quickly as possible.
“That is why we have become the first UK airport to introduce lanes in the immigration halls dedicated entirely to families, and those who might need a bit of extra support. Staff who man these lanes have received extra training in customer service so that they know how to provide the right level of help. This has the benefit of making passengers feel more supported and it helps to reduce the length of queues across all the lanes. So, in fact, all passengers end up benefiting, not just those with children.
“We expect other airports will follow suit, just as they did when we introduced family lanes at security.”
The immigration halls also now have a selection of ePassport gates that enable EU passengers with biometric passports to get through passport control much more quickly and conveniently.
The gates use facial recognition technology to compare a passengers’ face to the photograph recorded on the ‘chip’ in the passport. Once the checks are made, the gates open automatically.
Carole Upshall, UK Border Agency Director for South and Europe said, ‘‘The newly installed automated biometric ePassport gates are now in use in Gatwick’s South Terminal which will speed up the process for passengers with a UK or European Union biometric passport.
‘The UK Border Agency is committed to maximising the use of technology to maintain a secure border whilst handling increasing volumes of passengers and we now have e-Passport gates at both Gatwick terminals, providing passengers with a secure, self-service alternative to the conventional manual control.”
August 19th 2011
Gatwick resurfacing contract awarded
Gatwick Airport has announced it has awarded the contract for resurfacing its runway to civil engineering contractor Volker Fitzpatrick.
The runway at the UK’s second busiest airport and the world’s busiest single runway airport requires resurfacing every 11 years.
Work will begin next March to resurface the 400,000m2 surface and will take place at night – around 130 metres of runway will be replaced at a time. Improvements to the runway’s drainage and replacement of the airport’s 1,900 runway and taxiway lights, fed by 530 kilometres of electrical cabling, will take place at the same time.
David Wilson, Head of Airfield Capital Projects, said: “We are delighted that Volker Fitzpatrick is on board. With an excellent safety record and extensive experience of working in complex airfield challenging environments, Volker Fitzpatrick will help drive capital efficiency and quality, as we work to keep our critical asset in tip top condition.
“With just seven working hours each night, we will remove and replace about 130 metres of runway at a time. The work will be planned and executed with military precision to ensure it is completed and inspected before the first flight is due to take off. I’m confident our team working in partnership with Volker Fitzpatrick, will rise to the challenge.”
August 2nd 2011
Disruption to Gatwick train services continues after burst water main
Yesterday’s burst water main is still causing problems on rail services to and from GatwickAirport.
Gatwick Express is running a reduced service through the South Croydon area with trains operating half-hourly – on the hour and 30 minutes past from London Victoria, and at 20 and 50 minutes past from Gatwick.
Southern is also reporting severe disruption to services. For more information go on www.southernrailway.com
First Capital Connect is running a reduced service today and expects to operate approximately two trains per hour each way.
GatwickAirport is advising passengers to allow extra time for their journey.
July 21st 2011
Flybe and BA launch codeshare on Gatwick to Newcastle services
Flybe and British Airways now operate a codeshare agreement on Flybe’s London Gatwick route from Newcastle International Airport.
The new agreement allows Flybe customers to book seamless travel from Newcastle through to a number of BA’s Gatwick destinations including the Caribbean, Florida, Maldives, Mauritius and a significant number of European destinations – Flybe passengers can connect onto their BA flight with their baggage checked all the way through.
Chris Sanders, Aviation Development Director at Newcastle International Airport, said: “This new facility makes it a lot easier to use London Gatwick for onwards connections by British Airways and opens up many more travel options from your local airport offering savings in time and money. Whether you are considering taking the family to Florida or fancy a relaxing time in the Caribbean, this new arrangement makes it a lot easier. There are a number of European cities in Austria and Italy, for example, that BA serves only from Gatwick so these too are now much easier to reach.”
Customers can take advantage of this seamless process by booking online on the British Airways website or by speaking to their local travel agent. Flybe flies to London Gatwick up to four times a day from Newcastle.
July 20th 2011
BA reports 10% increase in families flying from Gatwick
British Airways has seen a ten per cent increase in family bookings from Gatwick Airport compared to 2010.
The airline reports that Florida is the number one destination for British Airways from Gatwick during the school holidays – BA offers 14 flights a week to the Sunshine State, with daily services to both Orlando and Tampa.
Running a close second is BA’s Gatwick to Barbados flights.
In July and August British Airways will serve around 7,000 child meals on flights from Gatwick, and cabin crew will give out over 26,000 special Paddington Bear Skyflyer packs to keep its young customers entertained.
Silla Maizey, British Airways managing director Gatwick, said: “Thousands of families choose to travel with British Airways through Gatwick Airport every year. We make flying as easy as possible by offering families priority seating and a ‘feed kids first’ policy, which allows parents to help children with their meals before relaxing and enjoying their own while the kids are entertained with dedicated TV programmes and films on the in-flight entertainment system..”
Over the past 18 months, Gatwick Airport has rolled out a number of family friendly initiatives to help take the stress out of travel for families, particularly those with young children in tow.
In Spring 2010, Gatwick became the only UK airport to create separate security lanes – “assistance lanes” – to give families travelling with young children in buggies extra help through security after checking-in. It also created dedicated “kids’ zones” in the departure lounges of both terminals for children aged between 0-5 years to enable parents and guardians to relax while their children are kept entertained.
To meet the demand for family holiday destinations from Gatwick, British Airways has also introduced the family favourite destination of Malaga to its Gatwick schedule, moving the service from Heathrow and almost doubling frequency to 27 flights a week.
July 12th 2011
Air Asia to shift London services to Gatwick
Malaysia-based budget airline Air Asia is expected to move its London route from Stansted to Gatwick Airport.
According to officials from Air Asia X, Air Asia’s long-haul branch, the move will take place in October and has come about due to Gatwick offering “irresistible” rates for using its runways and facilities. Moreover, the company likely sees Gatwick’s larger number of connecting flights as another advantage over its north London counterpart, as well as its closer proximity to the centre of the British capital.
Officials from Gatwick Airport have been trying to snag the long haul route from Stansted for several months, and reports also claim that Manchester Airport is seeking business from the Kuala Lumpur-based airline as well. Experts say that Heathrow is unlikely to see services from Air Asia, due to its high parking and landing fees as well as the fact that scheduling is already running at capacity.
Gatwick currently handles just over 30 million passengers annually and is said to offer Britain’s best connections to Europe via some 90 carriers. Stansted handled about 18 million passengers last year, primarily from budget airlines, namely Ryanair, as well as Air Asia X, which through September will continue operating its six weekly flights between London and Kuala Lumpur’s Low Cost Carrier Terminal, where the airline offers connections to points around the Asia-Pacific region.
July 7th 2011
Family friendly Gatwick
Gatwick Airport has recently signed up to a new scheme to make the airport more family friendly.
The new Family Friendly scheme, which has been launched by the Family and Parenting Institute, aims to make the UK more family friendly.
Gatwick has already introduced a number of family-friendly ideas including separate ‘assistance’ security lanes and dedicated kids’ zones for babies to five-year-olds in the departure lounges of both terminals. Now the airport wants to modernise baby changing areas, trial the provision of airside prams, provide play areas for children between the ages of 5 and 10, offer facilities for teenagers, including mobile/laptop charging points and interactive games consoles and provide seating areas for young families plus offering porter services to assist families through the terminal.
Stewart Wingate, Chief Executive of Gatwick Airport said: “Millions of families choose to travel through Gatwick airport every year. We realise that travelling with children can be stressful, so we’re going out of our way to make their journey through the airport more enjoyable.”
June 30th 2011
Vietnam Airlines to launch flights from Gatwick
Vietnam Airlines is to launch direct flights to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from Gatwick Airport.
The full-service airline will begin flights in early December from the North Terminal using a Boeing 777-200ER.
Stewart Wingate, Gatwick Airport’s Chief Executive said: “These new long-haul routes are exciting news for Gatwick and for the 90,000 UK holidaymakers who travel to Vietnam each year who, this Winter for the first time, will be able to fly direct to Vietnam.
“With Gatwick offering the first direct route to Vietnam’s two major cities, this provides a real opportunity for UK business to build and develop trading links in the South East Asian markets.”
June 29th 2011
Potential delays at Gatwick due to strike action
The Public and Commercial Services Union will strike from 19.00 on Wednesday 29 June to midnight on Thursday 30 June. Arriving passengers may experience delays at passport control during this time. Please help keep any disruption to a minimum by having your passport and travel documents ready for inspection.
Gatwick Airport is working with UKBA to keep all disruption to a minimum for the passengers.
June 28th 2011
Ryanair announces partnership with Gatwick Express
Ryanair has announced a partnership with Gatwick Express offering savings for its customers when booking travel between London Victoria and Gatwick.
The tie-up means Ryanair passengers travelling on the Gatwick Express service can save 10% on their ticket price – up to £5.50 per person.
In order to take advantage of the discount, passengers must book their Gatwick Express tickets through Ryanair’s website and print their ticket before leaving home.
June 28th 2011
Virgin to axe Gatwick to Kingston flights
Next March will see the end of Virgin Atlantic flights between Gatwick and Kingston.
Gatwick to Kingston flights are currently operated by Virgin and British Airways however, Virgin will cease to operate their service from 25 March 2012.
Virgin will continue to operate its twice-weekly Gatwick to Montego Bay flights.
June 22nd 2011
British Airways and Air Berlin have entered into a codeshare agreement
The agreement, which will come into effect on 5 July 2011, means BA customers can now buy direct flights to Nuremburg, Munster and Paderborn through ba.com.
Keith Williams, British Airways’ CEO, said: “The new airberlin services are the perfect complement to our existing European routes. Both airlines are committed to a full service offering and excellent value for money and this codeshare provides our customers with a preview of what is to come when Air Berlin officially joins oneworld next year.”
Joachim Hunold, CEO air Berlin, said: “British Airways is our sponsoring airline within one world. That makes this new agreement a milestone for us as we look forward to the coming year, during which Air Berlin will be joining the alliance. Thanks to these codeshare flights with British Airways, our passengers will now have available to them two further airports, in addition to Gatwick and Stansted, from which they can continue their journey towards other destinations in the UK.”
June 14th 2011
Gatwick to Athens flights announced
Hellenic Imperial Airways is set to launch Gatwick to Athens flights.
The flights will operate three times a week from 1 July and offer onward connections to Kuwait and Dubai.
June 10th 2011
Monarch announces new scheduled services from Gatwick
Monarch has unveiled its summer 2012 schedule which includes new scheduled services from GatwickAirport.
Available for booking now, the new Gatwick services include:
Gatwick to Antalya – operating twice a week on Thursdays and Sundays from 3 May 2012
Gatwick – Dalaman – launching on 26 April 2012, services will operate daily with up to 11 flights per week
Gatwick – Sharm el Sheikh – operating three times per week (Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays) the service launches on 3 May 2012.
June 9th 2011
Gatwick to Nigeria flights announced
Air Nigeria is to launch Gatwick to Lagos flights.
The new daily service will begin on 1 September 2011 and will become Air Nigeria’s first international route outside Africa.
Flights will be operated using an A340-300 aircraft.
June 7th 2011
GatwickAirport announces new taxi provider
GatwickAirport has announced a new official taxi company to provide on-airport taxi services for passengers travelling to and from the airport.
The new provider will be Road Runners, a Horley-based company, which will operate under the name Airport Cars – Gatwick.
As part of the agreement, Airport Cars – Gatwick will invest in a new computer system to improve the booking service and new facilities for the drivers, including upgrades to the airport driver rest room. The company also had to agree to employ all 252 drivers from the previous Gatwick taxi provider.
GatwickAirport taxi services were previously provided by Checker Cars.
June 2nd 2011
Gatwick Express promo offers free entry to No.1 Lounge
Gatwick Express has teamed up with No.1 Traveller to offer passengers who purchase a First Class Return ticket online a free entry into the No.1 lounges at Gatwick Airport’s South and North Terminals.
The promotion, which applies to First Class tickets only, started yesterday, 1 June 2011, and is designed to encourage customers to book their Gatwick Express tickets online.
Customers will need to show their Email Booking Confirmation with their unique reference number upon arrival at the airport lounge.
Access to the lounge normally costs £25
May 25th 2011
Volcanic ash update
All UK airports have now re-opened following yesterday's disruption, however a few flights to Germany may still be subject to some delays and cancellations.We advise anyone travelling to check with their airline for the latest information.
May 24th 2011
Volcanic ash update
Gatwick is open but some services to and from Scottish airports may be affected during the next 24 hours.
The latest information from the Met Office shows that following the recent eruption of Grimsvotn in Iceland, an area of volcanic ash is affecting Scotland today (Tuesday 24 May).
British Airways and easyJet have cancelled some services to Scotland. Please contact your airline for the latest information.
April 28th 2011
Easy Jet increases services between Glasgow and Gatwick
Easy Jet has announced it is to add an early morning flight to its Glasgow to Gatwick schedule from 6 June.
The Glasgow to Gatwick flights will also see a fourth daily service added for the winter season.
April 16th 2011
Gatwick to Seville flights take off
EasyJet launched its first route to Seville from Gatwick on Saturday, 16 April.
The new Gatwick to Seville flights will operate four times per week – Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
April 2011
New Summer Routes Launched by Monarch
In response to the overwhelming demand for its summer sun programme, Monarch has introduced two new routes this year, the first to Bodrum and the second to Corfu.
From 2nd May the airline will operate twice-weekly flights from Manchester Airport to Bodrum.
From 23rd May it will commence twice-weekly flights to Bodrum from both Birmingham and Gatwick.
Also on the 23rd May, the airline will begin operating Luton Airport to Corfu flights, three times a week.
As a result additional routes have been added to the popular destinations of Larnaca, Paphos and Tenerife from Manchester Airport. And from Gatwick Airport it will increase flights to Palma de Majorca, Paphos and Tenerife.
April 2011
New baggage scanners for Gatwick Airport
Security Solutions Company Smiths Detection has secured a £2 million contract to supply Gatwick Airport’s new advanced x-ray scanners for hold baggage.
The upgrade of scanners is required to meet a European Union deadline for tougher security standards.
President of Smiths Detection Stephen Phipson said: “This order from the UK’s second biggest airport demonstrates its confidence in our advanced X-ray systems in terms of reliability, detection capability, image quality and life cycle costs. It is also another step towards a much-needed international harmonisation of aviation security.”
April 2011
Easy Jet scraps Helsinki flights
Easy Jet has announced it is to cease services to Helsinki from Manchester and Gatwick Airports.
Citing ‘lack of demand’, the airline will axe flights from Manchester to Helsinki on 13 June 2011, followed by its Gatwick to Helsinki services on 22 June 2011.
March 2011
Gatwick to Malaga flights return to Gatwick this weekend
British Airways flights to the popular Spanish city of Malaga return to Gatwick Airport this weekend.
From Sunday, 27 March, the flights will move back from Heathrow and will double in frequency, with up to four daily flights on selected days. This will increase to 27 flights a week from June.
The Malaga flights last operated from Gatwick in summer 2009.
Colm Lacy, British Airways head of commercial Gatwick, said: “We are delighted to be increasing the number of services to Malaga from 14 services a week and moving the flight back from Heathrow to Gatwick. Malaga is an important route for our customers and we are delighted to add it to the excellent short haul network we have at Gatwick.”
March 9th 2011
BA to axe Gatwick to Sharm El Sheikh flights
British Airways has announced the suspension of its Gatwick to Sharm El Sheikh services from 3rd May 2011.
Passangers booked to travel on or after this date will be offered a refund or can use their ticket's value as payment towards a new ticket to another destination.
March 8th 2011
Major works continue around both Terminals at Gatwick Airport.This is causing some congestion on the roads leading into the Terminals particularly at rush hour times. The North Terminal is where most of the works are but also the fly-over between North and South where the central barriers are being replaced.
March 7th 2011
Olympic Air cancels London services
Olympic Air has announced changes to its destination network resulting in the cancellation of its services from Heathrow and Gatwick Airports.
The service withdrawals will be effective from 27th March 2011.
Passengers booked to travel from this day will be offered a full refund or may be rebooked / reissued at no additional charge, to any IATA carrier, on direct flights, for same routing and date of the original ticket.
February 2011
New passenger lounge to open in Gatwick’s North Terminal
Passengers flying through Gatwick’s North Terminal this summer will be able to enjoy full-on pre-travel pampering in the new No.1 Traveller Lounge. With its travel spa, mini-cinema and games facilities there will be something for everyone to enjoy ahead of their holiday or in-between business meetings.
For a £20 entry fee, passengers will be able to enjoy up to three hours of peace and comfort ahead of their journey, watching a movie or chalking down a pool cue to pot a few balls or indulging in a range of relaxing and revitalising treatments that can be purchased at the new Travel Spa. Or passengers can simply take in the panoramic views of the runway while enjoying complimentary food and refreshments, newspapers, magazines, TV and Wi-Fi.
Passengers in the new No.1 Traveller lounge will be able to buy travel insurance, order foreign currency and even shop for duty free, all via the lounge hosts from the comfort of their seat.
February 2011
The Thameslink programme
The Thameslink programme is a long-term project to upgrade the Thameslink rail network and introducing more trains. Although offering future benefits, during the work there will be significant impact on First Capital Connect services to Gatwick Airport. More information on the Thameslink Programme website www.thameslinkprogramme.co.uk
Source: Thameslink Programme
February 2011
New Routes from Gatwick
Hanover and Nuremberg
airberlin’s decision to operate the routes out of Gatwick sends a strong signal to the airport market that Gatwick is changing and becoming a more attractive place for airlines to operate services from, and for passengers to fly from.
airberlin, UK & Ireland Country Manager Titus Johnson said: “Gatwick airport has excellent links into London and the South East meaning the airberlin full service lower fares product will now be even more accessible for both leisure and business travellers. We very much look forward to commencing flights to Hanover and Nuremberg from Gatwick, making Germany now closer than ever with airberlin.”
Stewart Wingate, Gatwick Airport’s Chief Executive said: “We are transforming Gatwick with a £1 billion investment programme that will modernise the facilities, improve customer service and bolster the public transport links into London, to make Gatwick London’s airport of choice. Today’s news demonstrates we are making headway in achieving that vision. This is the first step in a long-term relationship with airberlin, which we hope will generate further destinations not currently served by Gatwick and open up more choice for our passengers.”
2nd December 2010
Heavy Snow Keeps London Gatwick shut until Friday
Tens of thousands of passengers due to fly out of Gatwick saw their travel plans in tatters as the airports closed for a second day.
Gatwick announced early that it would remain closed until at least 6am on Friday while north of the border there was a more positive outlook as Edinburgh aimed for a 4pm reopening, a target they met. However despite the chaos BAA were confident that the company had done all they could to maintain the best service they could.
Malcolm Robertson, director of communications at BAA, said: 'Across the company, we are better prepared than we have ever been for a difficult winter.
The Argus – 5th March 2007
Passengers who travelled from
Gatwick airport were conned by a Meet and Greet parking firm, which promised it would park their cars in a secure compound with 24-hour security patrols and high fences...
...Instead the vehicles were driven up to 15 miles away to be left in insecure car parks, by the roadside, in alleyways and in a shop car park.
"Unlicensed operators like this give the whole industry a bad name."
Mr Cowen added that it was not very environmentally friendly to store cars 15 miles from the airport. He praised the actions of BAA and other partners, who sorted out the mess on goodwill.
Brian Stone, head of consumer services for West Sussex County Council, said trading standards had been working closely with BAA, the police and NCP to come up with the rescue package.
He said: "We have no responsibility directly. We decided we would go the extra mile. It was quite complicated."
Mr Stone said customers should always exercise caution when leaving their cars with a parking firm. He said: "Establish exactly where the vehicle will be parked, will it be secure, will it be there the whole time? The cheapest deal isn't always the best."
October 2010
Roadworks on A23 Airport Way
A project to improve street lighting and implement safety barrier work is taking place from Monday 18 October 2010 to Friday 25 March 2011. During this time there will be single lane closures on both carriageways and a 30mph speed limit in operation. The work will only take place between 09.00 and 16.30 daily.
This will impact road users travelling to Gatwick from the M23 junction 9a up to and including the North Terminal roundabout.
