Gatwick Airport plans to accomodate 40 mill pax p/a by 2020; sees long-term traffic slowdown

UK's London Gatwick International Airport published (13-Oct-2011) its draft master plan setting out its vision for developing the airport to accommodate 40 million passengers p/a by 2020. The airport added its long-term passenger growth rate would be lower-than-previously expected. The airport reiterated its expectation of 33.6 million passengers in the 12 months ended 31-Mar-2012.The airport stated it "remains committed to achieving growth through its single runway and two passenger terminal operation". Much of the development needed to support the airport's planned growth is already underway through Gatwick's GBP1 billion investment programme. Gatwick is also exploring ways of using its existing runway more efficiently. The airport noted that "growing traffic during off-peak periods when existing runway capacity is not being fully utilised is one way of doing this. Bringing in newer, larger aircraft at Gatwick will also encourage growth in passenger numbers and this will require some minor adjustments to the airfield and the way passengers are handled from these aircraft". [more - original PR]

London Gatwick: "The rate of growth in traffic is lower than previously disclosed, reflecting current economic conditions and outlook. Over the next 10 years Gatwick Airport Limited expects annual traffic to grow to 40 million passengers. Gatwick Airport Limited believe that the airport could, by 2030, handle around 45 million passengers on one runway with two terminals." Company statement, 13-Oct-2011.