Design & construction
activity over the years ahead. Recently, London Gatwick submitted a planning application to bring its existing northern standby runway into regular use. At present, the runway can only be used when the main runway is not available, since the two are spaced just 200m apart.
Should the application be approved, the runway would be repositioned and used routinely for departing flights – many of them long-haul services. Starting from around 2030, London Gatwick would see a significant increase in capacity, with passenger numbers climbing to 75.6 million a year by 2038, and 80.2 million by 2047. The UK’s transport secretary will decide whether to greenlight this project in late 2024, depending on the planning inspectors’ recommendation. “Our low-impact plan will improve resilience, reduce delays, and provide a significant boost to the national and regional economy by supporting trade, tourism and new jobs,” remarks Bulford. “As part of the plans, both the North and South Terminals would be extended, creating more retail space and opportunities.”
While those plans are speculative for now, it’s clear that London Gatwick is already thinking hard about how it might position the airport for a new era. In April 2023, it announced ‘a new brand identity and refreshed vision’, with a view to reflecting its recovery from the pandemic and supporting its next phase of growth. On top of the departure lounge redevelopment, which got underway in May, the airport intends to accelerate automation across check-in and boarding, and implement new airfield technology. A new multi-storey car park will open in the North Terminal next year, while a new railway station concourse opened in November.
“It is still very early days,” comments Bulford. “But we have already received some excellent feedback from passengers, retail and airline partners, and other stakeholders. Passengers will start to see some more developments within our terminals, which, when complete, will make our departure lounges a more attractive place to spend time, enjoy some leisurely shopping or relax with a pre-flight meal or drink.”
One-size solution does not fit all requirements London Gatwick’s stated vision – ‘To be the airport for everyone, whatever your journey’ – really boils down to acknowledging the diversity of passengers within its walls. Perhaps more so than other public spaces, airports are a melting pot. They’re a chance to rub shoulders with people from every cross- section of society, and indeed from all over the world. What’s more, when you look past the binary breakdown of ‘business versus leisure’ travel, each
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person has their own distinct reasons for being there. The 30 million passengers mean 30 million different stories, ranging from ‘jetting off on the holiday of a lifetime’, to ‘taking my newborn to meet their grandparents’. Few of these passengers would be adequately served by a one-size-fits-all approach. “We recognise we have very diverse and wide- ranging groups of passengers – from couples to groups of friends, young families, retirees and people heading off on business – so it’s important we are able to offer each a personalised, relevant experience at the airport,” says Bulford. This goal is reflected in the design of the new seating areas in the terminals, which will now be organised into ‘mood zones’ tailored towards an ambience to promote relaxing or working environments. Some of these areas will be better suited to solo travellers, while others will be configured for groups. Each area will have its power point – as no matter what your other requirements might be, it’s likely you’ll need to charge a device at some point.
There will also be a preponderance of new retail and F&B options. As Bulford explains, each one is
Above: If London Gatwick’s northern runway is brought into regular use, the airport expect its passenger numbers to rise to 75.6 million per year by 2038.
Below: Navigation will be easier and smoother, addressing the often stressful experience of getting to the gate.
Opening page: Travellers heading through the North Terminal at London Gatwick will soon benefit from a £10m revamp.
18.5 million
The number of passengers that travelled through London Gatwick in the first six months of 2023.
London Gatwick
London Gatwick
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