This week Gatwick revealed their new expansion designs by architect, Sir Terry Farrell, which deliver better flexibility and allows the airport to be far more responsive to the ever-changing needs of airlines and their passengers. It is said that these new plans could make Gatwick the most efficient 2-runway airport in the world; now that’s quite a statement!
With published images and details highlighting the new plans, improvements include self-service bag drops, passengers reaching their boarding gate in just 30 minutes, electronic security gates, and the ability to match the current quickest aircraft turnaround times. Gatwick went on to demonstrate the way in which queues could be eliminated, passage through the airport for passengers significantly quicker, shorter time frames for reaching connecting flights in the same and different terminals, take-off times being pushed back to 7 minutes, and far more versatility that will reduce engine emissions and operating costs.
In a week when Heathrow received nearly 95,000 noise complaints in 2014, a staggering 5-fold increase – it must be noted that the majority of those complaints were received during the period when the airport was testing potential new flight paths that would be used should they get the go-ahead for expansion – Gatwick’s new designs could swing the barometer back their way. But then Heathrow releases a poll that reveals over 50% of residents are in support of expansion plans at the airport, a first for the airport – the question has to be asked; what percentage of respondents either work at the airport, are connected with the airport, or who know someone close that works at the airport? We leave that up to you to decide…
With the way people travel today and the demands on airlines, airports and staff to deliver better services, maybe Gatwick’s new design is the way to future travel. For example, Gatwick Connect, the airports newest service, allows passengers on connecting flights to transfer through the airport without the need to transport their bags, saving time and frustration!
As the battle heats up between the two airports, both of whom are under consideration by the Airports Commission, there are good arguments for and against both options. Whichever airport is granted permission and given the support to expand, it’s not going to please everybody.
