Gatwick's China connections contribute to its busiest ever October
Gatwick has enjoyed its busiest ever October, with 3.9 million passengers having travelled through the airport, +7.1% on the same month last year, while long-haul growth soared to +22%.
Courtesy Gatwick Airport / photographer Jeffrey Milstein
These results came in the same week that new connections from Gatwick to key markets in the Far East were revealed. Tianjin Airlines has announced a new connection to Xi’an home of, UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Terracotta Army - providing the UK’s only direct route to the city.
The airline will also be increasing its existing Tianjin and Chongqing services from Gatwick to three services a week, plus providing a direct onward connection to Auckland, New Zealand, via Chongqing.
Gatwick’s growth has seen the airport chart among top five fastest growing airports in Europe, as announced this week by the Airport Council International.
In line with Gatwick’s long-haul growth, cargo volumes increased +23% in October.
Gatwick Chief Executive Officer, Stewart Wingate said: “Gatwick’s record passenger numbers, booming long haul growth, and growing cargo volumes continue to be a vital economic driver for our area, our region, and for the national economy.
“Our long-haul services are growing right across the board. There is increased frequency on existing routes, our airlines are starting new routes, such as Tianjin’s new direct route to Xi’an – the UK’s only direct service - and brand new airlines like Cathay Pacific have joined Gatwick this year.
“This latest route announcement adds to the airport’s line up of long-haul routes which have started this year to China, Peru, Canada, Costa Rica, Nigeria, as well as the US, which will further increase in November with new routes to Moscow and Cape Town.
“The natural result of the airport’s long-haul growth to key markets is our increase in cargo, this month +23%, which is joined by strong growth in Gatwick’s regional connections across Britain, demonstrating Gatwick’s vital economic role both within Britain and internationally.”