Gatwick announces further expansion plans
Gatwick is to spend an additional £1.11 billion up to 2023 supporting airline expansion and improving the passenger experience, it was announced today.
Revealing the airport’s new five-year Capital Investment Plan, chief executive Stewart Wingate said £266 million of the cash would be spent in the current financial year on projects such as the extension of Pier 6 to handle the A380 double-decker aircraft.
The airport is expecting passenger numbers to increase to nearly 53 million a year by 2023 and plans to accommodate them include a new domestic arrivals facility, including a new baggage reclaim in the South Terminal, a new mezzanine level extension in the North terminal departure lounge for additional restaurants and a new hangar to service the growing number of long-haul aircraft, plus the re-development of hotel capacity at the South Terminal.
"Gatwick is a major piece of national infrastructure, and our continued growth and ability to attract long-haul airlines is vital for the health of the UK economy, particularly in a post-Brexit world.~We are exploring ways to grow our capacity, including developing new systems and processes to handle more passengers, and considering how we use all our existing infrastructure in the future," said Wingrave.
"We are exploring ways to grow our capacity, including developing new systems and processes to handle more passengers, and considering how we use all our existing infrastructure in the future.
"By committing to spend another £1.11 billion, Gatwick can continue to grow sustainably, attract new airlines and offer more global connections, while providing an excellent service to passengers.
"This year we will welcome new quieter aircraft with the introduction of A321s by easyJet and we are developing our infrastructure now, by reconfiguring airfield stands and planning for the construction of a major extension to our Pier 6 facility. These initiatives will support this next phase of growth.
"Looking beyond this capital investment programme, we welcome the Government’s support for airports making best use of their existing runways and we will plan for our longer term future by developing a masterplan later this year".
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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