Gatwick announces +6.9% increase in passengers to set September record

UK. Gatwick Airport handled a record 4.3 million passengers in September, representing a +6.9% year-on-year increase.

The airport said it now serves 42.3 million passengers a year, with long-haul routes up +29% on this time last year.

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Growth at Gatwick is decades ahead of Airports Commission forecasts, the airport said

North Atlantic routes drove long-haul growth in September, at +59% year-on-year. Routes in Toronto (+135%), Vancouver (+114%) and Los Angeles (+50%) saw the largest increases.

European leisure and business routes also saw strong growth during the month, Gatwick said. These included Milan (+89%), Paris (+68%) and Prague (+48%). Routes to Ireland grew +15% while destinations in the UK and Channel Islands grew +6%. Belfast International (+95%), Newquay (+34%) and Inverness (+13%) were strong contributors to this growth.

Gatwick noted that its annual growth figure invalidated Airports Commission forecasts, which said the airport would only handle 42.3 million passengers a year in 2030.

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Source: Gatwick Airport

Gatwick Chief Executive Stewart Wingate said the figures demonstrated the need for expansion at the airport. “Gatwick’s continued record-breaking growth shows we can deliver for Britain. We are already decades ahead of predictions on passenger and long-haul growth and the demand for expansion at Gatwick is clear to see.

“Airport expansion has failed to get off the ground in the past because of insurmountable obstacles such as the air quality and noise impacts that make Heathrow undeliverable. It is time for a new solution. For the first time in this decades-long debate, Gatwick has demonstrated that it can deliver all of the economic benefits at a dramatically lower environmental impact.

“Gatwick gives the government the certainty of a competitive solution which keeps costs and impacts low while laying the foundations of an economy that works for everyone.”

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