Record breaking month for Gatwick Airport passenger traffic

London Gatwick Airport recorded 4.53 million passengers during August 2015, a 3.7 percent increase on the same period last year and the busiest month in the Airport’s history.

Passenger figures for August revealed the busiest month at Gatwick in its history. The result follows 30 months of consecutive growth with 39.5 million passengers passing through the airport in the last twelve months, up 6 percent year on year.

Travel to the North Atlantic was a key driver in this history-making month, seeing growth of 9.5 percent on passengers flying to the US and Canada. The biggest long-haul increase saw Orlando up 13.3 percent with passengers taking advantage of the offering from British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Norwegian Air.

Short-haul flights reported strong growth to European destination up 167,000 passengers or 5.5 percent compared to last year. Madrid saw the biggest growth in passenger numbers with 32% more travellers flying to the Spanish capital. This thanks in-part to the introduction of Spanish carrier Iberia Express, as well as increased frequency from other airlines. Other strong European performers saw passenger numbers up 58.5 percent to Berlin, Schonefeld and Rome up 22.5 percent.

Travel to the North Atlantic was a key driver in Gatwick Airport’s history-making month

Gatwick CEO Stewart Wingate said: “Airports Commission analysis predicted Gatwick would reach 40 million annual passengers in 2024 yet, in August 2015, we reached the 39.5 million passengers mark. We are in touching distance of 40 million and on track to reach this milestone within a matter of weeks. This is more evidence of the flaws in the Airports Commission and we will continue to make our case to Government as it approaches a decision. Gatwick remains the best and most deliverable option to actually deliver the runway that the UK needs.

“While we are already at capacity at peak times, we continue to make substantial investment in the airport to allow us to continue to grow. This week, we reached the half-way point in our project to renew and revitalise our North Terminal which is part of our £2 billion transformation programme.

“The fact remains, however, that the UK needs extra runway capacity and Gatwick can deliver this more simply, quicker, and with no burden passed on to the tax-payer.”

August figures have been aided by the addition of seventy-four additional flights operating from the airport compared to this time last year. Passenger growth is the result of more air traffic movements per hour and larger aircraft being used on average across the airlines. Load factors were up 0.5 percent on the previous year.