Airport Information
Gatwick is London’s second-largest airport after Heathrow. It is also the second largest air hub in the whole of the UK. The harbour is 45 km from London. Gatwick mainly serves charter flights. The airport is the base for British Airways, easyJet, Virgin Atlantic.
London Gatwick International Airport is the world’s busiest air hub with a single runway.
City, Country: London, United Kingdom
Location: Horley, West Sussex
Distance: 45 km from London
Official website: www.gatwick-airport-guide.co.uk
IATA Code: LGW
ICAO Code: EGKK
Gatwick Airport Terminals
The airport complex consists of two terminals – North and South, between which there are free underground (metro) trains.
North Terminal is the base of the British Airways and members of the Oneworld alliance. Terminal operates mostly regular passenger flights.
South Terminal was opened in 2009 and operates mainly low-cost flights.
Gatwick Airport History
Interestingly, the name Gatwick was first mentioned in 1241. It meant the estate, which was on the site of a modern airport.
Gatwick Airport began life in 1930 as the Surrey Aero Club, a small flyers club, used exclusively by flying enthusiasts – however it did not stay this way for long. Four years later Gatwick was licensed as a public aerodrome, intended to provide regular air services to Paris and act as a relief aerodrome for London Croydon Airport.
2019: May marked the beginning of new management with VINCI Airports owning the majority shareholding of 50.01% and the remainder owned by a consortium of investors and managed by Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), who have operated Gatwick since 2009.