Gatwick's Global Reach: A Major Aviation Hub

is london gatwick a big airport

London Gatwick Airport (LGW) is a major international airport located 29.5-30 miles south of Central London. It is the UK's second-busiest airport by passenger traffic, serving over 43 million passengers per year. The airport has two terminals, North and South, which cover 98,000 m2 and 160,000 m2, respectively. It operates as a single-runway airport, with a secondary runway available for use when the main runway is out of action. Gatwick Airport has excellent transport connections, offering direct train connections to over 120 stations and convenient road access via the M23 and A23.

Characteristics Values
Airport Type Secondary international airport
Location 29.5 miles (47.5 km) south of Central London, near Crawley, West Sussex
IATA Code LGW
ICAO Code EGKK
Total Area 674 hectares (1,670 acres)
Number of Terminals 2 (North Terminal and South Terminal)
Area of North Terminal 98,000 m2 (1,050,000 sq ft; 117,000 sq yd)
Area of South Terminal 160,000 m2 (1,700,000 sq ft; 190,000 sq yd)
Number of Runways 1 main runway, 1 secondary runway
Length of Main Runway 3,316 m (10,879 ft)
Number of Gates in North Terminal 31
Year of Opening 1956 or 1958 (opened as an aerodrome in the late 1920s or early 1930s)
Passenger Traffic Second-busiest airport in the UK and eighth or ninth-busiest in Europe
Number of Destinations Flies to more destinations than any other UK airport
Number of Airlines Over 50
Train Accessibility Direct trains to over 120 stations, with connections to over 700 stations within one change

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London Gatwick is the UK's second-busiest airport

London Gatwick Airport (LGW) is the UK's second-busiest airport, after Heathrow. Gatwick has been in operation since the 1930s, when it opened as an aerodrome, and has been serving commercial flights since 1933. The airport is located 29.5–30 miles south of Central London, near Crawley in West Sussex. It is easily accessible by road, being linked to the M23 and A23, and it also has its own train station, which is just a 30-minute journey from London Victoria Station. Gatwick Airport is well-connected, with direct trains to over 120 stations and access to 700 stations within one change. It also has a bus and coach network that connects to over 100 cities and towns.

The airport has two terminals, North and South, which together cover an area of 258,000 m2. The North Terminal has 31 gates and three jet bridges capable of supporting an Airbus A380. The airport operates with a single runway, which, at 3,316 metres in length, is long enough to accommodate large aircraft such as the Airbus A380. There is a second runway, but due to its proximity to the main runway, it can only be used when the main runway is out of action.

Gatwick Airport is a major international hub, serving as the secondary London base for British Airways and the largest base for easyJet. Over 50 airlines fly from the airport, including long-haul operators like Virgin and British Airways, and low-cost carriers like easyJet and Thomas Cook. In 2018, 46.1 million passengers passed through the airport, a number that had been steadily increasing in previous years. Gatwick Airport offers a range of services, including full-service, low-cost, and charter flights to the UK, Europe, and beyond.

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It is located 30 miles south of London

Gatwick Airport, also known as London Gatwick, is located 30 miles south of London, near the town of Crawley in West Sussex. It is easily accessible by road and rail, with direct connections to over 120 train stations and convenient access to the M23 and A23 roads. The airport is well-connected to London, with a train journey time of just 30 minutes.

London Gatwick is the second-largest of the main London airports and the second-busiest airport in the United Kingdom in terms of passenger traffic. It has been in operation since the 1930s, initially as an aerodrome before becoming a fully-fledged airport in 1956/1958. The airport consists of two terminals, the North Terminal and the South Terminal, which together cover a substantial area.

The North Terminal, constructed in the 1980s, features 31 gates with jet bridges, including three capable of accommodating an Airbus A380. This terminal has undergone several expansions and improvements, including the addition of a second aircraft pier in 1991 and the opening of Pier 6 in 2005, enhancing passenger facilities and aircraft parking capacity.

The South Terminal, while also serving a significant number of passengers, is slightly smaller in size. Both terminals have benefited from substantial investments and remodelling projects over the years, ensuring they remain modern and functional.

London Gatwick's proximity to London and its efficient transport connections make it a convenient option for travellers heading to or from the city. Its location 30 miles south of the city centre places it within easy reach for a large portion of the population, contributing to its status as one of the busiest airports in the United Kingdom.

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Gatwick Airport has two terminals

Gatwick Airport, located 29.5 miles (47.5 km) south of Central London, is the second-largest of London's airports and the second-busiest airport in the United Kingdom in terms of passenger traffic. The airport has two terminals, the North Terminal and the South Terminal, which cover areas of 98,000 m2 (1,050,000 sq ft) and 160,000 m2 (1,700,000 sq ft) respectively. Both terminals have undergone significant investment and remodelling over the years.

The North Terminal has 31 gates with jet bridges, including three that can support an Airbus A380. Construction on this terminal began in the 1980s and it has since undergone several expansions, including the addition of a second aircraft pier in 1991 and the opening of Pier 6 in 2005, which added 11 more pier-served aircraft stands. The North Terminal is linked to the South Terminal by a shuttle service that runs every few minutes, providing a quick and convenient connection for passengers transferring between flights.

The South Terminal, the first terminal at Gatwick Airport, was built in 1935 and was known as "The Beehive". It covers a larger area than the North Terminal and has also undergone expansions and improvements over the years. Both terminals offer a variety of shops, restaurants, and other amenities for passengers, and provide easy access to ground transportation options, including taxis, buses, and trains.

Gatwick Airport has a direct mainline train link, with its own dedicated train station providing connections to over 120 stations across the country. The airport is easily accessible by road as well, located just off the M23 motorway and connected to central London via the A23 Brighton road. Additionally, Gatwick has better cycle accessibility than other London airports, with a national cycle route running through the airport.

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It is well-connected by road and rail

Gatwick Airport, located 29.5 to 30 miles south of Central London, is well-connected by road and rail. It is accessible from London in several ways, including by train, car, or coach. Gatwick Airport is connected to London by the M23 motorway at Junction 9 and the A23 Brighton road. The airport is also served by a dedicated train station, which offers direct connections to over 120 train stations and access to more stations than any other European airport station. The train station at Gatwick Airport provides a fast and convenient way to travel to and from the airport, with trains running to Central London in just 30 minutes and departing every three to four minutes.

The airport is also served by a bus and coach network, which connects to over 100 cities and towns. For those travelling by car, the M23 motorway provides a direct link to the M25 and A23 roads, offering convenient access to Central London. Gatwick Airport has also improved its train station to enhance the passenger experience, making it a seamless and efficient transport hub.

In addition to its road and rail connections, Gatwick Airport's location near Crawley in West Sussex makes it easily accessible for those in the surrounding area. The airport's proximity to London and its surrounding regions makes it a convenient option for travellers. Furthermore, Gatwick Airport offers a range of transportation options, ensuring that passengers can choose the most suitable and convenient way to travel to and from the airport.

Gatwick Airport's comprehensive road and rail connections contribute to its status as a major international airport. It is the second-busiest airport in the United Kingdom by total passenger traffic and serves as a hub for various airlines, including British Airways and easyJet. The airport's efficient transport links facilitate its high volume of passenger traffic and enhance its accessibility for travellers from London, the South East, and beyond.

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The airport opened in the 1930s

Gatwick Airport, also known as London-Gatwick, is the second-largest of the main London airports. It is located near Crawley in West Sussex, 29.5 miles (47.5 km) south of Central London. The airport first opened in the 1930s.

Gatwick began life in 1930 as the Surrey Aero Club, a small club for flying enthusiasts. However, it did not remain exclusive to hobbyists for long. In 1933, the Air Ministry approved commercial flights from the site, and the airport opened as an aerodrome for commercial flights in 1933 or the early 1930s. The first terminal, "The Beehive", was built in 1935, and scheduled air services from the new terminal began in 1936. The Beehive was the world's first circular terminal building. During this time, the airport provided regular air services to Paris and acted as a relief aerodrome for London Croydon Airport.

In the 1930s, Hillman's Airways, whose descendants still fly from the airport as British Airways, began flying from Gatwick to Belfast and Paris. In February 1936, a Jersey Airways plane took off from Gatwick to Paris on the Beehive terminal's first scheduled flight.

The airport was taken over by the military during World War II and was known as RAF Gatwick. After the war, the airport returned to civilian use, and the airport proper was built in the mid-1950s, opening in 1956. The new Gatwick was officially opened by the Queen in 1958, becoming the world's first airport with a direct train link.

Frequently asked questions

Gatwick Airport, located 29.5-30 miles south of Central London, is the second-largest airport in London and the second busiest airport in the United Kingdom in terms of passenger traffic.

London Gatwick Airport has two terminals: the North Terminal and the South Terminal.

The North Terminal covers an area of 98,000 square meters (1,050,000 square feet) and has 31 gates with jet bridges, including three that can support an Airbus A380.

You can get to London Gatwick Airport by train, car, or bus. The airport has its own dedicated train station, with direct connections to over 120 stations and access to over 700 stations within one change. By car, you can take the M23, which connects to the M25 and the A23 to Central London.

Over fifty airlines fly from London Gatwick, including British Airways, Virgin, easyJet, Thomas Cook, and Thomson.

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