London Gatwick Airport has consolidated passenger and processing facilities into the airport’s South Terminal and limited flights on its runway to between 14:00 and 22:00, during the Covid-19 crisis. The new measures will be implemented on 1 April.

The decision has been made to protect the health and safety of passengers and staff and to protect the business following ‘a dramatic fall in airline traffic.’

As of Wednesday, the airport’s operations will be consolidated into the South Terminal. The runway will remain open for emergency landings and diversions only outside these hours.

The temporary closure of the North Terminal will be for a minimum of one month and the situation will be regularly reviewed.

A decision will be taken on reopening the North Terminal when airline traffic increases and Government public health advice — including on social distancing — is relaxed.

DECISIVE ACTION

The decision to reduce the airport’s operations was discussed with the airport’s airline partners. Any passengers booked on flights due to depart of arrive at Gatwick during this period are advised to contact their airline.

Stewart Wingate, Chief Executive, Gatwick Airport said: “Gatwick is a resilient but also responsible business and during these extraordinary times we need to take unprecedented measures to protect the health and wellbeing of our staff and passengers, while also shielding the business from the impact of Coronavirus.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my staff for their continuing hard work through this difficult time and to reassure them that we are taking these difficult decisions now, so that we are in a position to recover quickly and get back to generating jobs and economic benefits for the region and wider economy well into the future.”

He added: “During these extraordinary times, we have also seen remarkable acts of kindness and community spirit in support of people who may need some additional help. To add to this, we will also be providing some opportunities so that any of our staff, who have time during this period of reduced operations, that choose to, can help support people in our local communities.”

Earlier this month, the airport revealed it had taken steps to safeguard the financial resilience of the business — and prepare it for a quick recovery — by significantly reducing costs.

Operationally, this included closing the airport to flights between midnight and 05.30 from 17 March — except for emergency landings — and closing two of the airport’s six piers due to fewer passengers.

In terms of capital expenditure, the airport is deferring spending on its investment programme for the foreseeable future. Wingate and his executive team are also taking a 20% salary cut and waiving any bonus for the current financial year.

TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

The airport has terminated the employment of 200 staff employed on temporary fixed-term contracts and contractors, in order to protect the business. It is also consulting with employees on further measures to reduce near term operating costs by exploring the potential to introduce options for unpaid leave or temporary salary reductions for staff.

Additionally, the airport had added its backing to to the Airport Operators Association’s request for government support during the crisis. Proposed support measures include the suspension of business rates and other government and local rates and taxes on airports, deferral of payments of all VAT, corporation tax and other taxes for the duration of the global flight restrictions and suspension of regulatory costs on airports where possible.

Wingate said: “Gatwick is a resilient business, but the world has changed dramatically in recent weeks and we have been forced to take rapid, decisive action to ensure that the airport is in a strong position to recover from a significant fall in passenger numbers.

“We must all play our part in helping the airport recover and both myself and our Executive Board will take a significant pay cut to help reduce costs.  We also very much regret having to make this difficult decision to reduce our staff numbers and I would like to thank everyone for the contribution they made to the business.

“Significantly reduced passenger numbers are likely to be sustained, at least in the short to medium term and I need to prepare people for the news that other serious measures are likely.  We also strongly urge the Government to provide support in order to protect the business and the contribution it makes to the region and wider economy.”