Gatwick names fastest growing destinations
Shanghai is the fastest growing route from Gatwick with a 416% increase in seats since this time last year.
China Eastern Airlines will increase its frequency from three flights a week to a daily service this winter and Air Chia will begin four flights a week in November.
Dusseldorf in Germany is the second fastest growing destination, with a 221% increase in seats, followed by Aqaba in Jordan with a 106% rise.
New routes this winter include Jazeera Airways’ daily flights to Kuwait (above), and new TUI Airways’ flights to San Jose del Cabo in Mexico and Memmingen in Germany.
Head of airline relations Stephen King said: "The appetite for new destinations and extra seats continues unabated at~Gatwick, even as we near 47 million passengers annually. Unveiling yet more carriers and routes this winter shows airlines are growing well as passengers respond to the new choices available.
"This winter I’m delighted that once again we have new airlines joining Gatwick alongside a wealth of carriers growing capacity.
"Whether it’s new carriers like Jazeera Airways, which has chosen Gatwick as its first destination in western Europe, additional capacity to China or existing airlines growing their seat offer, this winter is great news for passengers looking for something fresh and exciting or returning to a favourite destination."
Fastest growing destinations winter 2019
1. Shanghai, China +416% versus winter 2018
2. D-¼sseldorf, Germany +221% versus winter 2018
3. Aqaba, Jordan +106% versus winter 2018
4. Ankara, Turkey +91% versus winter 2018
5. Budapest, Hungary +90% versus winter 2018
6. Bilbao, Spain +82% versus winter 2018
7. Dubrovnik, Croatia +59% versus winter 2018
8. Tangier, Morocco +50% versus winter 2018
9. Calgary, Canada +50% versus winter 2018
10. Krakow, Poland +37% versus winter 2018
* All data sourced from OAG.
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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