Gatwick planning major refurbishment

News at Gatwick 11/10/2010

Gatwick owners discuss sale of stake in airport : October 2010 : Gatwick fixes dodgy check-in scales

The investment of a billion pounds is seen as a way to challenge Heathrow’s dominance.

Gatwick Airport is pinning hopes on an upcoming billion-pound refurbishment as a way to help challenge the dominance of West London’s larger Heathrow airport. Gatwick Airport, in East Sussex to the south of the capital, is hoping that upgrades to both airport facilities and transport links will help it attract more operations by long-haul carriers. Gatwick is also keen to attract more budget airlines.

Though he admits that Heathrow is likely to continue as the main air hub for Britain, Gatwick Airport finance director Nick Dunn says he expects refurbishment at Gatwick to drive passenger numbers to some 45 million by 2013. Gatwick expects to handle 32 million travellers this year.

Part of the upgrade plans are hopes that Gatwick can achieve the targeted refurbishment for less than the £1 billion currently budgeted. If this can be done, it is possible that the Civil Aviation Authority, which is in charge of airport fee levels, could let Gatwick reduce its fees to airlines. This would further help Gatwick become more attractive than Stansted and Heathrow.

Mr Dunn added that he hopes there is now increased competition between airports in the UK. Owners BAA were forced by the Competition Commission to sell Gatwick in 2009 because they controlled too many airports in Britain.

Gatwick owners discuss sale of stake in airport : October 2010 : Gatwick fixes dodgy check-in scales

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