Record April cargo tonnage for Gatwick
London Gatwick secured a new record in April with long haul connections +21.0% driving cargo tonnage for the month, +23.2% on last year.
A total of 3.7 million passengers travelled through Gatwick in April with the airport set to further increase the global connectivity it provides for passengers with Qatar Airways starting a new route to Doha in May – opening up greater onward connectivity to Asia and Australia.
As well as growing long haul connectivity and global export capability, the airport has also announced the start of its seasonal summer recruitment with 1,200 new roles available. Roles are available across the retail and restaurant portfolio as well as aircraft servicing teams, enhancing Gatwick's regional role, where the airport currently supports one in every 12 jobs.
In April, the airport’s North Atlantic routes performed particularly well, with Boston, Los Angeles and New York +79.9%, 60.5% and 38.3% respectively. Other destinations proving particularly popular were - Goa +66.3%, Hong Kong +59.8% and Dubai +15.2%.
Above:
An A380 taking off from Gatwick.
Courtesy Gatwick
The change in short-haul passenger traffic in April 2018, relative to the prior year, largely reflects the timing of school Easter holidays, which were concentrated in April 2017 but spread across March and April this year.
Gatwick Airport Chief Executive Officer Stewart Wingate said: “April’s figures demonstrate the key role that Gatwick plays both for the country and the local area - with exceptionally strong long haul and cargo growth.”
“We are adding more global connections this month, starting another brand new route, to Doha - providing Gatwick passengers greater onward connectivity to Asia and Australia and increased cargo capacity for Britain.
“Closer to home, we are delighted to be recruiting for our seasonal summer support across the airport with roles available in our retail and restaurant portfolio as well as aircraft servicing teams – further boosting the role that Gatwick plays in our region where the airport already supports one in every 12 jobs."