Gatwick Airport's County Location: A Quick Guide

Gatwick Airport, located nearly 30 miles from London, is one of the world's busiest international airports. Despite its proximity to London, Gatwick Airport is not in London. It is in West Sussex, having shifted from Surrey in 1974. The airport has undergone numerous expansions and improvements since its inception in 1930 as a small flyers' club, and it now serves millions of passengers annually.

Gatwick Airport's history

Gatwick Airport, also known as London-Gatwick, is the secondary international airport serving London, England. It is located near Crawley in West Sussex, 29.5 miles (47.5 km) south of Central London. Gatwick Airport is one of the world's busiest international airports, serving over 46 million passengers a year as of 2019.

Gatwick Airport opened as an aerodrome in the late 1920s and has been in use for commercial flights since 1933. The airport's first terminal, "The Beehive", was built in 1935, with scheduled air services from the new terminal beginning in 1936. During World War II, the airport was taken over by the military and was known as RAF Gatwick. After the war, the airport returned to its civilian function, with the airport proper being built in the mid-1950s and officially reopening in 1956. The Queen herself reopened Gatwick, and it quickly attracted airlines from across the world. Over the next 15 years, the runway was extended three times to accommodate transatlantic flights.

In the 1960s, British United Airways (BUA) and Dan-Air were two of the largest British independent airlines at Gatwick, with BUA becoming the dominant scheduled operator at the airport. In the 1970s, following the takeover of BUA by Caledonian Airways, the resulting airline, British Caledonian (BCal), became Gatwick's dominant scheduled airline. BCal continued to dominate scheduled operations at Gatwick for most of the 1980s, while also being one of the airport's major charter airlines until the end of the 1970s.

In the late 1980s, due to conditions imposed by Britain's Monopolies and Mergers Commission on the takeover of BCal by British Airways, Dan-Air and Air Europe took over as Gatwick's dominant scheduled short-haul operator. In the early 1990s, following the demise of Air Europe and Dan-Air, British Airways began building up Gatwick as a secondary hub, becoming the airport's dominant airline by the turn of the millennium.

Gatwick Airport has continued to expand and improve its infrastructure over the years, with the addition of a second terminal, the North Terminal, in 1987, and ongoing proposals for a second runway and a third terminal. The airport has also implemented strategies to attract higher-spending business travellers and reduce its dependence on the European low-cost and charter markets. Today, Gatwick remains a significant international airport, serving millions of passengers each year and contributing to the economy and prosperity of the surrounding counties.

Transport to and from the airport

Gatwick Airport is located in West Sussex, nearly 30 miles from London's border. It is Britain's second busiest airport, serving around 43 million passengers annually. The airport has two terminals: North and South, with a shuttle bus service connecting the two.

Gatwick Airport is well-connected to London and other parts of the UK by train, bus, and coach services.

Train

Travelling to and from London by train is quicker than from any other London airport, taking less than 30 minutes. The Gatwick Express train service from London Victoria to the South Terminal takes 30 minutes, while the Thameslink and Southern train services operate from various London stations to the airport, running every 15 minutes, seven days a week. Direct trains also run to Gatwick Airport from London Luton Airport, Guildford, Reading, Brighton, and Portsmouth.

Bus and Coach

National Express Coaches operate services to Heathrow Airport, London Stansted Airport, and various towns and cities in the region and country. EasyBus operates mini-coaches from both terminals to Earls Court and West Brompton. Local buses, including Metrobus services, connect the North and South Terminals with nearby towns such as Crawley, Horley, Redhill, Horsham, and Caterham.

Gatwick Airport offers a range of transport options for travellers, making it convenient and accessible from London and other parts of the UK.

Expansion plans

Gatwick Airport is located in West Sussex, in the borough of Crawley. The airport is policed by the Gatwick District of Sussex Police and has its own immigration removal centre.

Gatwick Airport has been proud to hold the title of the world's busiest single-runway airport. However, the airport has reached its limit in terms of growth and has set out plans to bring its existing northern runway into routine use for departures, alongside the main runway. This proposal, part of the London Gatwick Master Plan in 2019, will allow the airport to increase its capacity by adding additional hourly aircraft movements during peak times, using existing flight paths. It is predicted that around 75 million passengers would travel through the airport each year by the late 2030s, a 61% increase from 2019 numbers.

The expansion plans are designed to be privately financed and low impact, with most construction activity taking place within the existing airport boundary. The northern runway's centre line will be moved by 12 metres, and road improvements will enhance access and benefit local road users.

The examination process for the expansion is expected to take place in 2024, with a final decision made by the Secretary of State later that year. If approved, the northern runway is expected to be ready for routine use by the end of the decade.

Gatwick Airport has been included in multiple reviews of airport capacity in southeastern England, with expansion options including a third terminal and a second runway. While an agreement was made in 1979 with West Sussex County Council not to build a second runway, this agreement expired after 40 years. A proposal for a second runway was unveiled in 2013 and shortlisted for further consideration by the Airports Commission, with a final report published in 2015.

The airport's management

Gatwick Airport is located in West Sussex, in the borough of Crawley. The airport's police force is provided by the Gatwick District of Sussex Police, which includes armed and unarmed officers, as well as community support officers. Access to airside portions of the airport is controlled and maintained by the airport's team of security officers, regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority.

Gatwick Airport has a long history, dating back to 1930 when it was founded as a small flyers club for flying enthusiasts. It quickly expanded, receiving its public aerodrome license within four years and becoming acquainted with Hillman's Airways, now known as British Airways. In 1935, a railway station and the Beehive terminal were built, and in 1936, the first scheduled flight took off to Paris. Gatwick was officially opened by Lord Swinton, the Secretary of State for Air, in 1936.

During World War 2, the airport was requisitioned by the Air Ministry and became a base for RAF night fighters and an army cooperation squadron. After the war, it continued to run as a civil airport for charter airlines and cargo flights. In 1958, the new Gatwick was officially opened by the Queen, and it quickly attracted airlines from across the world. The airport has continued to expand and upgrade its facilities over the years, including the addition of new terminals and the upgrading of its shuttle service.

In recent years, Gatwick Airport has been subject to changes in ownership, with it being sold to Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) in 2009 and then VINCI Airports acquiring a majority shareholding in 2019. The airport's management has proposed the construction of a second runway and a third terminal to accommodate increased passenger numbers, although this has been a subject of debate and discussion with local authorities and residents.

The airport's security

Gatwick Airport is located in West Sussex, in the borough of Crawley. The airport is policed by the Gatwick District of Sussex Police, which is responsible for the entire airport, including aircraft and, in certain circumstances, aircraft in flight. The security procedures at Gatwick are stringent, with a focus on ensuring the safety of passengers and staff and preventing prohibited items from being taken on board.

Passengers are advised to allow ample time for check-in and security screening, especially for long-haul flights, where check-in can be up to three hours before departure. Carry-on and checked bags are subject to search, and it is recommended to familiarise oneself with the list of prohibited items before packing. Gatwick employs X-ray technology for baggage screening, and passengers are advised to avoid wearing metal items to reduce the likelihood of setting off alarms.

Special assistance and family lanes are available during security checks for passengers with reduced mobility and families with children. Passengers with metal implants or hip/joint replacements should inform security guards, as these may trigger the metal detectors. Passengers are advised to remove shoes, metallic items, belts, and other accessories to expedite the screening process.

Gatwick Airport utilises facial image recognition technology for passenger identification when boarding domestic or Common Travel Area (CTA) flights. This system uses biometrics to map unique facial features and verify a passenger's identity. The airport also employs security officers to control access to airside portions of the airport, regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority.

Frequently asked questions