Benefits of competition clear as Gatwick announces further record growth

In the final set of traffic figures before the Airports Commission's expected decision on airport expansion, Gatwick has announced that 3.6 million passengers travelled through the airport in May, a 5.8% increase on the previous year and the 27th consecutive month of growth.

The latest figures mean that Gatwick is on track to see growth of 8 million passengers per annum since the break-up of the BAA monopoly in 2009. A more open industry has also seen other UK airports, including Birmingham, Manchester, and Edinburgh record strong growth in recent years, underlining the benefits of a more competitive network of UK airports.

With a decision expected shortly on the UK's next runway, the Airports Commission has already stated that expansion at Gatwick "would enhance competition in the London airport system"1, while an independent OECD report also called for the Government to "ensure strong competitive pressures among airports"2 when making a decision on expansion.
Gatwick Airport CEO Stewart Wingate said:

"Gatwick's record growth continues to prove that greater competition is working for passengers and businesses. With the expansion decision approaching, it is time to write the next chapter in one of the greatest policy success stories of recent years.

"Choosing airport competition over monopoly is the only answer that is right for the whole of the UK. Expanding Gatwick would enhance competition, meaning Gatwick grows, Heathrow improves, and every part of the UK benefits from a stronger network of competing airports providing passengers more choice, higher standards and lower fares."

An additional 199,000 passengers travelled through Gatwick in May with the largest percentage growth coming from North Atlantic routes +17.6%. This is driven largely by the success of the Norwegian Air Shuttle operation, offering low-cost long-haul flights to four destinations in the US: New York, Los Angeles, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando. Since launching transatlantic routes in July 2014 Norwegian Air Shuttle have seen continued growth demonstrating the passenger choice and competiveness brought by a more competitive network of UK airports.

This month also saw other long haul destinations grow with the United Arab Emirates +11.3% due to the A380, the world's largest aircraft, serving Emirates' Dubai route since March 2014. European destinations were +6.2% with the fastest growing destinations Madrid +46.5% and Berlin +43.0%. Average load factors remained consistently strong at 84.2%.