Agents claim Gatwick is “missing a trick” by not marketing its new booking service for connecting flights through the trade.
The airport claims GatwickConnects is a “world first” that enables passengers to save money on flights and benefit from a series of services if something goes wrong with a connecting flight.
The airport was reported as saying: “In the event that your inbound flight is delayed or cancelled, and you miss your outbound flight from Gatwick, we will ensure you get on to the next available departure to your destination, at no extra cost to you. We will also provide you with hotel and food vouchers if necessary.”
A spokesman for Gatwick said while the system is designed for travellers who already book direct, it was “still all to play for” and the airport wasn’t rule out working with the trade in the future.
The GatwickConnects service is available only through
fare-comparison websites Dohop and Skyscanner and is available to those flying with easyJet, Wow and Norwegian, which account for 52% of Gatwick’s passengers.The service costs £27.50 one‑way, and less for subsequent passengers.
Sam Cassem, executive director of YourTravel in Kent, invited Gatwick to market its new system to the trade.
“They are missing a trick not getting agents to do the marketing for them,” he said. “Making clear that the price includes a form of protection is essential.”
Doreen McKenzie, of Knock Travel in Belfast, said: “I can’t see my customers running off to book with this system.
“It is effectively a form of insurance and many travellers are covered for flight delays in their insurance anyway.”
Gatwick insisted the system is designed for customers who are already booking direct.
The spokesman said: “This is not about being prohibitive to agents. We are looking at how we can work with the trade. It is still all to play for.”