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A record-breaking January demonstrates that Gatwick is ready for expansion, the boss of the airport claimed today.
Passengers using the West Sussex airport last month rose by 5.7% to reach 2.5 million – an increase of 135,417 over January last year.
Chief executive Stewart Wingate said the results continue to demonstrate that Gatwick is the solution to the UK’s aviation capacity problem as the airport announced its 35th consecutive month of traffic growth.
“Strong growth in our European routes – coupled with the ongoing demand for more and more long-haul services – has helped ensure the airport’s place among the fastest growing airports of Europe,” he said.
“As one of the biggest businesses in the UK – and indeed the UK’s best connected airport – we and, more importantly, our passengers have benefited from being part of a liberalised market and from the influence being in the EU provides.
“We firmly believe that it is in the interest of passengers, business, and the UK to stay in the European Union.”
Wingate added: “With each month of continued growth, Gatwick further demonstrates that it is ready for expansion.
“The simple facts show that Gatwick’s plan is not just the best but the only deliverable solution to the question of where the UK’s next runway should be built.
“It’s clear now that the barriers facing Heathrow are insurmountable – it’s Gatwick or nothing and it’s time to get on with it.”
With 11 new routes, including Hong Kong, Lima and San Francisco, already announced for 2016, the Airport’s Council International Europe announced that Gatwick is one of Europe’s fastest growing airports.
European routes grew by 5.3% year-on-year in January with strong growth including Vienna, up 76.6%; Funchal, up 42.2% and Dublin, up 18.5%.
Long-haul routes saw 8.7% growth year on year with North Atlantic routes up by 16.4%. The strongest growth was recorded on New York, up 121.1%; Los Angeles, up 54.7% and Las Vegas, up 38.3%.