May was Gatwick’s 51st consecutive month of growth and the busiest ever. The airport served more than four million passengers, a 6.7 per cent rise from the previous year. Last month also saw the highest number of business passengers pass through Gatwick.
This growth is owed to the more than 50 long haul routes, especially North American destinations, which grew by 13 per cent. Key among these destinations was LA, whose figures grew by 48 per cent, Fort Lauderdale which registered a 125% rise and Calgary at 43% growth. Gatwick serves 15 cities in the US and Canada.
Business passenger numbers were at an all-time high, with 782,000 business trips made in May. Amount of cargo handled by Gatwick increased by 18.9%.
Load factor at the airport were at 85%, an increase from 83.1 % recorded at the same time last year.
With the launch of Norwegian’s Gatwick to Singapore route -the longest low cost long haul route- set to be launched in September, the airport’s long haul network is expected to grow further. Norwegian will also start operating new services to both Seattle and Denver in the same month.
Gatwick’s CEO, Stewart Wingate, said: “There is real momentum behind Gatwick’s growth as records tumble month after month. Our continued growth shows that we are an airport that delivers for everyone whether travelling for business or leisure and flying short or long haul, Gatwick has a choice of airlines and destinations unrivalled in the UK.
“The airport’s long haul network has grown significantly and the results benefit both leisure passengers and also the country as global trade becomes increasingly important for the UK economy.
“With this in mind, Gatwick stands ready to build a credible and deliverable new runway should the Government give us the green light to proceed.”