Gatwick handled 71% of pre-pandemic passengers in 2022 with a total of 32.8 million.
Increased long-haul connectivity helped drive the recovery from just 6.3 million travellers in 2021.
The airport is now serving 42 global routes – 68% of the number flown pre-pandemic.
The airport’s long-haul network was boosted by Air India yesterday announcing four new routes to Goa, Ahmedabad, Amritsar and Kochi (Cochin).
Delta Air Lines also returns to Gatwick, flying the airport’s fourth daily flight to New York, while British Airways will operate new routes to Vancouver, Georgetown and Las Vegas this summer, in addition to services to the Caribbean, North and Central America, the Middle East and Mauritius.
Total aircraft movements hit 213,952 last year – 76% of the volume in pre-pandemic 2019 level of 281,000 while just 52,000 arrived or departed the airport in 2021.
Airport chief commercial officer Jonathan Pollard said: “Today’s figures are extremely positive and clearly show London Gatwick’s continued strong recovery.
“We still have some way to go but we’re looking forward to welcoming even more passengers this year, including those flying to our growing choice of long-haul destinations.”