Gatwick reorganises terminal operations as airport grows

Gatwick Airport has conducted a strategic review of its terminal operations and has announced a plan to operate airlines out of single terminals in the future, as part of its bid to ease passenger journeys and simplify operations.

Gatwick’s two largest carriers, easyJet and British Airways are the first to announce moves, with easyJet consolidating its operations out of the North Terminal, instead of being spread across both South and North, and British Airways moving its operation to the South Terminal.

Both moves will take place around November 2016.

The decision will provide a good mix of airlines across two world-class terminals and will allow each airline to grow its operations, and benefit from the £2.2 billion investment programme that Gatwick is now half way through.

For easyJet passengers, the consolidation and Gatwick’s investment programme means that passengers will benefit from a completely transformed North Terminal.

The Terminal will be extended with increased floor space and improvements including:

• A £36m investment on a brand-new check-in area.
• The biggest self-service bag drop in the world.
• A new layout boosting peak check-in capacity from 3,000 to 4,350 per hour.
• A £30m investment for world-leading security area able to process 5,000 passengers per hour.
• New departure lounge with more space for future growth.
• A 30,000 sq ft of new retail space.
• Refurbished arrivals area with a more spacious concourse and better choice of retail.

  BA passengers will benefit from:

  • World class security in South Terminal including automated security gates and dedicated lanes for families and those with reduced mobility, helping 96 per cent of passengers to be processed through security within five minutes.
  • State-of-the-art self-service immigration gates in South Terminal leading to shorter queues.
  • New Pier 1, which includes an investment of £185 million to construct a state-of-the-art facility, offering new aircraft stands, gate rooms, lounge facilities, and storage for 2,600 bags.
  • Europe’s largest walk-through World Duty Free and newly refurbished departure lounge.

  The BA check-in zone in the South Terminal will also be upgraded and a brand new Premium lounge will be built.

  The South Terminal is also on the same level as the train station – which is to receive a £120 million upgrade – ensuring BA passengers benefit from a quick and easy train to plane transfer.

  Stewart Wingate, Gatwick chief executive, said: “This move is a major milestone on our journey to become one of the world’s most efficient airports.

  “We look forward to having all our airlines operating out of single terminals so both our passengers and airlines can benefit from a more streamlined operation and state-of-the-art facilities.

  “Our growth plans are transforming Gatwick, and in addition to the investment we are currently making, we will build the worlds’ most efficient two runway airport if we win the right to expand.”