Global Infrastructure Partners, who own Gatwick Airport, have outlined an investment and development programme which will take place over the next two years at a cost of one billion pounds.
Part of the improvements include a new state of the art inter-terminal shuttle that will be in use in July, a full two months ahead of schedule. The new extension at the North Terminal will also be fully functional.
In the course of the next two years the departure lounge, baggage systems and immigration halls will all be given a face-lift, bringing facilities up to date.
Global Infrastructure Partners have stated that they aim to focus on the Airport’s world-class facilities and quality of service, hopefully making it a first choice for travellers.
Gatwick is the busiest single runway airport in the world and the second largest airport in the UK. It serves more than 200 destinations across 90 countries in the world – more than any other airport in the UK. It is estimated that approximately 33 million passengers use the airport every year.
It is hoped that the new facilities will attract more long-haul flights, with aeroplanes such as the Airbus380 flying to major international hubs, for example Mumbai, New York, Hong Kong and Singapore.