News
Gatwick attractive alternative for Asian carriers
August 18th 2017
With London’s Heathrow Airport continuing to operate at overcapacity, Gatwick Airport has become an attractive alternative for carriers from the Asia-Pacific. Read More »
Gatwick recorded a 6.1% year-on-year increase in passengers travelling to China in July, marking the first anniversary of the airport's routes to Tianjin and Chongqing, which are operated by HNA Group carrier Tianjin Airlines. Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific Airways launched a Gatwick route last September. Initially operating five times a week, it has been upgraded to daily A350 flights.
Gatwick has been luring Asian carriers with concessions and a much better on-time performance record than Heathrow. From December, Taiwan’s China Airlines (CAL) will launch a four-weekly Taipei-Gatwick A350 service. The Taiwanese carrier was previously flying into Heathrow, but terminated the route due to unprofitability. CAL chairman, Nuan-Hsuan Ho, has told Orient Aviation that Gatwick offered better slots, which might lure more passengers. Nevertheless, the CAL boss said the route’s success would rely heavily on strong connecting passenger feed from its Oceania and Southeast Asian network.
Starting September 28, Norwegian will add a B787 service from Gatwick to Singapore’s Changi Airport; it will be the longest long-haul budget flight ever operated. Norwegian is reportedly considering flights from Paris, Oslo and Barcelona to Singapore.
Overall passenger numbers rose for a 53rd consecutive month in July as 4.7 million passengers travelled through the airport - up 2.4% - making it the busiest July in Gatwick's history. Gatwick's growth has been recognised by the Airports Council International Europe. It has named Gatwick as a top five airport in Europe for passenger growth, with passenger numbers up 9.4% in first half 2017.
The record July was a result of Gatwick's rising long-haul traffic served by larger aircraft, with the number of passengers travelling to long-haul destinations increasing by 10.7% compared with July 2016. Gatwick's cargo, up 20.4% year-on-year, continues to benefit from the airport's long-haul growth.
Gatwick Airport CEO, Stewart Wingate, said “Gatwick's passenger numbers for July clearly illustrate the important and growing role Gatwick is playing in bringing Britain and Asia closer together. As the demand for travel to and from East Asia continues to rise, Gatwick has responded by adding exciting new destinations such as Taipei and Singapore to our rapidly expanding network of over 60 long-haul routes.” The airport chief added that 1.15 billion pounds (US$2.38 billion) would be invested at Gatwick over the next five years to “revolutionise” its facilities and transform the airport experience for passengers.
