In a step signifying the return of travel. Gatwick Airport is preparing to reopen its South Terminal.
The South Terminal was mothballed in June 2020 due to the downturn in traffic. It is being reopened to help meet the expected strong demand this summer and beyond as confidence in international travel returns.
It is set to reopen on Sunday 27 March.
The move follows the earlier update that testing requirements to enter the United Kingdom have changed, with fully vaccinated passengers (two doses) and those under the age of 18 no longer needing to take pre-departure and post-arrival tests.
Who is moving into the South Terminal?
As usual check before you travel and check when you get to the airport.
The following are planning to switch to the South Terminal from 27th March:
- British Airways
- Vueling
- Wizzair
- Ryanair
- Norwegian
- Turkish Airlines
- TAP Air Portugal
- Eastern Airways
- Aurigny
- Aer Lingus
- Air Baltic
- Airmaltia
- Air Europa
- Enter Air
- easyJet (operating across both South and North Terminals).
Flights from Gatwick for the summer season
Short Haul
Gatwick has renewed interest for the summer season, with British Airways Euroflyer operation starting operations from Gatwick from 29 March, with 35 new European routes added. Vueling, will also be expanding its operations, adding five new short-haul routes and basing three aircraft at Gatwick.
Wizz Air will also significantly increase its operations from the airport with 18 new routes, while easyJet, Gatwick’s biggest airline, has also taken up more slots and plan to fly their busiest flying schedule ever from the airport.
Longer haul
For those who want to head beyond Europe, Gatwick will offer 30 routes from the airport, incuding routes to New York, Tampa, Bangkok, Phuket, Mauritius, Dubai, Doha, Islamabad – and range of cities across Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico, including Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Cancun, Antigua and Montego Bay.
In Quotes
Stewart Wingate, Chief Executive Officer, Gatwick Airport said:
“After an incredibly challenging two years for the airport, our partners, local communities and the entire aviation industry, we are delighted to be reopening our South Terminal next month.
“Following some major announcements from our airlines about significantly increased flying schedules, and from Government on removing travel restrictions and airport slot regulations, we can now look forward to once again operating a busy Gatwick this summer and beyond.
“Today’s news means Gatwick and our partners can also begin recruiting new staff to help us meet this demand, which is excellent news for local people who have been so badly impacted by the effects of the pandemic.
“With our airlines now operating hugely increased flying programmes, our passengers can once again choose from a fantastic range of destinations – both short and long haul – whether booking a holiday, family visit, business trip – or that bucket list adventure they have dreamed of for years.
“It may however take time for consumer confidence to fully recover, so I urge Government to make 2022 the year when all travel restrictions are removed, including the unpopular passenger locator form and other remaining barriers to free travel.”
Another step forward back to “normal”
It seems that Gatwick’s North Terminal is getting more than a little busy now – and with airlines clamoring to make hay whilst the sun shines, demand is now there to reopen the South Terminal.
It’s going to be something to watch how traffic performs over the summer, as well as how the traffic shapes for the autumn/winter season – when we’ll usage in lower numbers.
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