Gatwick Airport is one of the busiest and most popular airports in the UK. Located in Crawley, West Sussex, it is the second-largest airport in the country and serves over 200 destinations across the world. Whether you're travelling for business or pleasure, Gatwick Airport is an excellent choice for a quick and efficient journey. With its extensive range of facilities, services, and amenities, it's no wonder that it's become a favourite destination for many travellers.
In this comprehensive overview, we'll take a look at what makes Gatwick Airport such an attractive option. Gatwick Airport is the second-busiest airport in the United Kingdom. Located in Crawley, West Sussex, the airport has a long and storied history, beginning with its initial construction in 1933. It has grown significantly in size since then, and now serves both domestic and international destinations. This article provides a comprehensive overview of Gatwick Airport, including its history, transportation options, amenities, and more. Gatwick Airport was initially built as an aerodrome in 1933, and was used primarily for private flights until the 1950s. In 1950, the airport was purchased by London Transport Executive, who set about expanding the facility.
By 1958, it had expanded to include two terminals and was handling regular commercial flights. The airport has continued to expand since then, and now features two terminals – North and South – that offer a variety of services and amenities. Getting to and from Gatwick Airport is easy. It is accessible via car hire, taxi, and bus services. There are also regular train services that connect the airport to central London and surrounding areas.
For those travelling from further afield, there are also options for direct flights to Gatwick from several international destinations. Both North and South terminals at Gatwick Airport offer a range of amenities for passengers. There are several restaurants, shops, lounges, banking facilities, currency exchange desks, and more. Passengers can also take advantage of free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal buildings. There are also plenty of amenities for those travelling with children, such as dedicated family restrooms and play areas. Gatwick Airport is currently one of the busiest airports in the UK.
In 2019, it handled over 46 million passengers and over 250 thousand flights. It offers flights to over 200 destinations across Europe, North America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The airport is also currently undergoing a £3 billion expansion plan that includes new terminals, car parks, runways, and other infrastructure. In addition to its expansion plans, Gatwick Airport is also focused on sustainability initiatives. The airport has implemented several measures to reduce its carbon footprint, including energy-saving initiatives and improved waste management practices.
It has also invested in several renewable energy projects to help reduce its environmental impact. Finally, Gatwick Airport has a long-standing relationship with the Royal Family. Queen Elizabeth II opened the South Terminal in 1958 and visited again in 2004 to commemorate 50 years of service. Prince Charles also visited the airport in 2017 for the opening of the new South Terminal Pier.
Transportation Options
Gatwick Airport provides a variety of transportation options for visitors, from private cars to public transportation.By Car
The airport is conveniently located near the M23 motorway, and it is easy to access by car. Drivers will find plenty of long-term and short-term parking options.There are also several car hire companies located at the airport, making it easy to rent a car.
Public Transportation
Public transportation is a great option for getting to and from Gatwick Airport. The airport offers several train services, including the Gatwick Express, Southern Rail, and Thameslink. There are also bus and coach services available. Additionally, taxis can be found around the airport.Ride-sharing Services
Ride-sharing services such as Uber are another convenient option for getting to and from Gatwick Airport.These services are generally cheaper than traditional taxis, and are available 24 hours a day.
Gatwick Airport Terminals
Gatwick Airport has two terminals, North Terminal and South Terminal, providing a range of services for both domestic and international passengers. Both terminals have a wide range of shops, restaurants, and other amenities, as well as free WiFi access. North Terminal is the main terminal at Gatwick Airport, and is home to a number of well-known airlines, such as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, EasyJet, and Emirates. It also provides a range of special services for passengers, including a dedicated Business Lounge and an Executive Lounge.South Terminal is the smaller of the two terminals and mainly serves budget airlines such as Ryanair and Wizz Air. It offers a range of amenities and services for passengers, including a Travelodge hotel, a variety of shops, and a selection of restaurants. Both terminals offer a range of transport options to get to and from the airport, including taxi services, bus services, and rail services. There is also an on-site car park available for those who wish to drive themselves to the airport.
Environmental Initiatives
Gatwick Airport is committed to promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility.The airport has implemented a number of initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint and promote green energy. These include the installation of solar panels on the main terminal building, which generates enough energy to power the airport’s entire lighting system. Other initiatives include the use of low-energy LED lighting, the introduction of electric vehicle charging stations, and the implementation of water and waste management systems. Gatwick Airport has also invested in a range of renewable energy projects, such as wind turbines and biofuel production. Gatwick Airport is also committed to reducing noise pollution through its Noise Abatement Zone (NAZ), which includes restrictions on aircraft flight paths and noise limits on aircraft operating at the airport.
In addition, the airport has invested in a range of noise mitigation measures, such as the installation of noise insulation materials on buildings near the airport. Finally, Gatwick Airport is also working on improving air quality around the airport by encouraging more efficient aircraft operations and investing in research into alternative fuels. The airport is also actively engaging with local communities to address air quality concerns.
Gatwick Airport Expansion Plans
Gatwick Airport is currently undergoing a major expansion project to increase its capacity. The project includes the construction of a new parallel runway, a new passenger terminal, and a new baggage handling system. The expansion is expected to be completed by 2025, and will help the airport handle an additional 40 million passengers per year.Additionally, Gatwick is exploring other options to increase capacity, such as increasing aircraft size, updating check-in technology, and improving ground transportation links. The new parallel runway will be located to the north of the existing main runway. It will be 3,316 meters long and 45 meters wide. It will be capable of taking larger aircraft, allowing for increased passenger numbers.
The new terminal will be located to the east of the existing terminals. It will be designed to provide greater flexibility and convenience for passengers, and will feature more check-in desks, improved security procedures, and upgraded amenities. Gatwick Airport is also looking at upgrading its baggage handling system to reduce waiting times for passengers. Currently, the airport is able to handle 4,000 bags per hour.
The upgrade will increase this to 7,000 bags per hour, providing a much faster service for passengers. The expansion project is part of Gatwick Airport’s long-term plan to become one of the world’s leading airports. With the completion of these projects, Gatwick will be able to handle increased passenger numbers and provide a more efficient service for travelers.
Interesting Facts & Stories
Gatwick Airport has a long and interesting history. It was the first airport in the world to introduce a direct rail link to London, and it has been serving passengers since the 1930s.The airport has also hosted some famous celebrities, including Queen Elizabeth II, who flew from Gatwick in 1961. The airport is also home to the world's busiest single-use runway, with over 35 million passengers using it every year. This impressive record was set in 2017. Not only is Gatwick Airport a popular travel destination, but it is also home to some fascinating wildlife. The site is home to a variety of species, including bats, badgers, and even rare butterflies. The airport is also known for its innovative approach to sustainability. In 2018, Gatwick became the first airport in the world to be awarded the Carbon Trust Standard for reducing its carbon emissions.
History of Gatwick Airport
Gatwick Airport is the second-busiest airport in the UK, located in Crawley, West Sussex.The airport has a long and impressive history, beginning in 1930 with the opening of an aerodrome for the Royal Air Force (RAF). In addition to RAF planes, the airport saw regular commercial flights from the mid-1930s onward. During World War II, the airport was used as a military base by the British and American forces. After the war, Gatwick Airport continued to grow in popularity and size. In 1958, Gatwick Airport was designated as London's second international airport.
This designation allowed Gatwick to become a major hub for international flights, with a large number of destinations around the world. Over the years, the airport has undergone numerous renovations and expansions. In 1988, Gatwick became the first airport in the world to offer dedicated airside shopping and dining experiences. Today, Gatwick Airport is a major international hub that serves over 45 million passengers every year.
The airport offers direct flights to more than 200 destinations across Europe, North America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Gatwick Airport Statistics
Gatwick Airport is the second busiest airport in the United Kingdom. In 2019, it handled a total of 45,824,047 passengers, making it the world's eighth busiest airport. Gatwick Airport offers flights to over 200 destinations in 90 countries worldwide. The top 10 most popular destinations are Amsterdam, Barcelona, Dublin, Madrid, Paris, Rome, Istanbul, Palma de Mallorca, Frankfurt and Geneva.In 2019, the airport handled a total of 228,741 flights (take-offs and landings). Of these, 53% were domestic flights and 47% were international flights. Gatwick Airport is also a major cargo hub, handling over 200,000 tonnes of freight in 2019. Gatwick Airport serves as an important hub for many airlines, including British Airways, easyJet, and Virgin Atlantic. It is also home to many low-cost airlines such as Wizz Air and Norwegian Air Shuttle.
The airport has two terminals: North Terminal and South Terminal. The North Terminal is used mainly by British Airways and its partner airlines. The South Terminal is used mainly by easyJet and other low-cost carriers. Gatwick Airport is constantly expanding and improving its facilities to meet the needs of its passengers.
In 2018, the airport opened a brand new terminal extension which increased capacity by 25%. The airport is also investing in new technologies such as facial recognition systems to speed up security checks.
Amenities at Gatwick Airport
Gatwick Airport provides a variety of amenities for its passengers, from restaurants and shops to lounges and relaxation areas. The airport offers a wide range of dining options, from fast food restaurants and coffee shops to bars and pubs.Passengers can find a selection of shops and duty-free stores, including fashion outlets, souvenir stores, and electronics retailers. The airport also provides numerous services, such as banking facilities, ATMs, currency exchange counters, and Wi-Fi access. There are also several lounges, including a No.1 Traveller Lounge and an Escape Lounge. For those looking to unwind, there are relaxation areas and even a spa.
Gatwick Airport is an important part of Crawley's transport infrastructure. This comprehensive overview has highlighted its history, transportation options, amenities, terminals, statistics, expansion plans, environmental initiatives, and interesting facts and stories. This article has demonstrated the importance of Gatwick Airport in providing connections to domestic and international destinations. It is a hub of activity that continues to grow and develop, and is key to Crawley's transport infrastructure.
