Gatwick handled a record 45.7 million passengers in the year to March – up 3.6% or 1.6 million passengers on the previous 12 months.
Revenue rose by 5.4% to £764.2 million, resulting in earnings [EBITDA] increasing by 10.1% to £411.2 million and a pre-tax profit of £233.7 million.
Gatwick attributed the growth to a combination of more, bigger and fuller aircraft. Each aircraft using the airport is carrying five more passengers, on average, than last year.
Passenger growth was driven by an additional one million long-haul passengers – up 14.4% year-on-year. This means one in six passengers are flying to a long-haul destination.
The growing long-haul network is being further boosted next week with the start of the UK’s only direct connection to Chengdu by Air China.
Nine new long-haul routes have started in the last financial year to destinations including Buenos Aires, Taipei and Singapore.
Chief financial officer Nick Dunn said: “Gatwick’s global connectivity has grown dramatically with nine new long-haul routes in the last year alone.
“We now offer 67 long-haul routes in total including the UK’s only direct service to Chengdu, which is due to start flying next week.
“We have ambitious plans to further enhance the experience for passengers at the airport, with a commitment to invest over £3 billion between 2010 – 2023, including an extension to Pier 6 providing six new aircraft stands, plus a new mezzanine level in the North Terminal departure lounge to accommodate new restaurants.”
He added: “Gatwick welcomes and is focussed on the government’s recent challenge to all airports to make the best use of their existing runways.
“It is vital that all airports are encouraged to increase capacity and we are exploring the best way Gatwick can continue to grow sustainably to support the local and national economy so that Britain can reap the benefits of greater global connectivity.”
Air China will run three flights a week using an Airbus A330-300 in a three-class configuration to Chengdu, China’s fourth biggest city.
The new service has the capacity of more than 45,000 seats a year.
Gatwick chief commercial officer Guy Stephenson said: “Chengdu is a strategically important destination and a major logistical hub so this new route – the UK’s only direct flight – opens up a range of opportunities to access markets throughout central and western China, be it by air, road or rail.
“UK visitors now also have a fast, direct route to Chengdu, one of China’s most culturally significant destinations and one that attracts millions of tourists from around the globe every year.
“This new service is Gatwick’s 67th long haul route. Our growing long haul network looks set to play an increasingly important role connecting the UK to global markets at this vital stage in the country’s history.”
Air China UK and Ireland general manager Chen Hongbing said: “Air China’s Gatwick-Chengdu route is the 30th route opened by Air China between China and Europe. We hope to set up an air bridge through this route to provide passengers with more convenience and choice.
“We hope to promote the friendly exchanges between the people from our two countries and promote the political, economic and cultural exchanges between the two cities and the two countries.
“In the selection of flight schedules, we fully considered the rationality of the arrival schedule of passengers arriving in London and Chengdu, and the convenience of onward flights and transits. We have confidence that this route will be the best travel option for travellers to flying between London and Chengdu and beyond.”