As most European airports have recorded double digit growth in passenger numbers over the month of March, Gatwick has seen a 5.1% more than the double digit growth. Gatwick which is the second busiest airport in London over the past year has experienced positive growth. It has an average of 35.9 million passengers which is a 4.8% increase from the years before. The passenger numbers recorded for March are positive despite the fact that Easter has come much later this year. Gatwick airport confirmed that flights to and from Europe through the airport in March last year increased by 11.4%, seeing passenger numbers increase to 1.49 million. Passengers flying to other destinations of the world except North America rose by 13%. Meaning that a total of 505,200 passengers flew to various destinations through Gatwick airport that particular month of March.
The chief executive officer of Gatwick was impressed with the positive numbers. He said that the expansion of Gatwick airport was what made the passenger numbers look up. Mr. Stewart Wingate said that 2014 has indeed been a good one for the airport. Not only have the numbers greatly improved but they have also managed to complete renovations and expansions at the airport.
The airport has spent £1 Billion in renovations to improve customer experience. The expansion has made way for creation of new routes which would satisfy the ever growing demand for business and leisure travellers at the Gatwick. Despite all the good numbers, not all routes are looking up. One is the North Atlantic route which has seen passenger numbers decrease.
Gatwick is however hopeful that the newly introduced Norwegian flights to America will improve the situation. These newly introduced are low cost to attract passengers heading to North America. With all these successes, Gatwick is not yet finished as it is vying alongside London Heathrow for the commission’s recommendation as the site for the next Britain runway.
