UK. Gatwick Airport has set a global record for the number of passengers passing through a single runway airport in a 12-month period, at 43 million. It achieved that number on 22 December 2016.
The airport handled 3.1 million passengers during December, a +15% year-on-year increase. Growth of +26.8% was recorded on long-haul services.
North Atlantic routes drove long-haul growth with a +59.6% increase. Toronto (+131%), New York (+105%), and Los Angeles (+89%) led the way.
UK and Channel Islands routes grew +19% with Belfast International (+132%), Newquay (+50%), Isle of Man (+21%) and Inverness (+17%) all up.
Gatwick noted that there was a clear split in destination choices in December, with passengers opting for either very cool or very hot climes. Popular wintery destinations included Rovaniemi, Finland (+66%), Keflavik, Iceland (+51%) and Kuusamo, Finland (+50%).
Santa Cruz De La Palma, Canary Islands (+78%), St Lucia (+61%) and Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands (+40%) were popular winter sun locations.
“Three million more passengers are travelling through the airport this year versus the same time last year, with 43 million passengers now passing through the airport annually – a figure that puts us 14 years ahead of industry predictions,” said Gatwick Airport Chief Executive Officer Stewart Wingate
“This milestone is an impressive conclusion to 2016, the year that saw the 80th anniversary of the very first flight from Gatwick.
“Gatwick’s booming long-haul services illustrate the vital contribution the airport continues to make to the local and national economy, in the airport’s busiest-ever December, as we continue to offer the UK government a credible and deliverable option for runway expansion.”
The airport has also predicted what the most popular destinations in 2017 will be. In long-haul, Barbados, Dubai, Jamaica, Las Vegas, New York, Orlando and Vancouver will occupy the top spots, while in short-haul it will be Amsterdam, Edinburgh, Barcelona and Venice, it said.
