Gatwick has emerged as one of the country’s top performing mid-market private companies in terms of sales.
The airport was ranked in sixth position in the Sunday Times Grant Thornton Top Track league table for 2014 with sales of more than £593 million and a profit of £147 million.
This came as a record 36 million passengers pass through the airport in its last financial year, which the company claims strengthens its case for a second runway.
A consortium led by Global Infrastructure Partners acquired the airport from the former BAA in 2009 for a reported £1.5 billion.
GM Communications, trading as Miki Travel, was ranked in 16th place in the list with latest annual sales of £534.8 million and a profit of £16.8 million.
Established in 1967 to tap into the Japanese interest in holidays in Europe, the London-based business operates as a wholesaler with subsidiaries across the Continent and Asia.
Budget chain Travelodge was in 40th position with ales of £432.6 million and a profit of £5.6 million. The group was subject to a £700 million debt-for-equity refinancing in 2012 and plans to invest £100 million I 12 new hotels this year.
The next travel company on the list in 168th place was Rocco Forte Hotels with sales of £185.4 million and profits of £22 million. The group has 10 luxury properties and plans openings in Jeddah, Marrakesh and Luxor.
Caravan park operator Park Resorts was ranked in 179th place with sales of almost £179 million and profits of £24.8 million. The company runs 48 sites and acquired South Lakeland Parks last year for £44 million.
Hotel operator Principal Hayley, which runs 22 city centre hotels and conference venues, appeared in 205th position with sales of £161 million a profits of £27.5 million.
Travel wholesaler JacTravel was placed in 230th place with sales of 150.2 million and profits of 7.4 million. The company was acquired by Vitruvian Partners in June for £80 million.
Household goods warranty specialist Domestic & General topped the 2014 list with sales of £632.9 million and profits of £73.6 million.
Other well-known names on the list includef Aston Martin, Barbour, Dr Martens, Jeyes, Nando’s, Pret A Manger, Warburtons, and Yeo Valley.
The 250 companies on the table had combined sales of £70 billionn, a 16% year-on-year increase, and profits are up 25% to £4.4 billion.
More than three quarters of the companies increased their headcount, and in total employ 412,000 people, up 10% on the year before.