London Gatwick Airport has reported passenger traffic numbers up a 53rd consecutive month in a row as July’s total reached 4.7m – an increase of +2.4% and is busiest ever.

Gatwick management says that its fast growth has also been acknowledged by Airports Council International Europe having ranked the airport amongst its top five in Europe for passenger growth, with passenger numbers +9.4% in the first half of 2017.

Airport management says that the record July was a result of Gatwick’s rising long-haul traffic served by larger aircraft, while the corresponding number of passengers travelling to long-haul destinations rose by 10.7% compared to July 2016.

EXPANDING ITS ASIAN ROUTE NETWORK

The airport also reported a recorded a 6.1% year-on-year rise in passengers travelling to China in July marking the first anniversary of the opening of its routes to Tianjin and Chongqing and its ongoing focus on developing its Asian routes (flights to Taipei and Singapore are also set to launch later this year).

Norwegian and easyJet (see background) are two of the most dynamic carriers at London Gatwick Airport – both in terms of present and future traffic capacity potential.

The airport adds that destinations in California are amongst Gatwick’s biggest growing routes and are proving to be the summer holiday destinations of choice for many British travellers this year. Oakland and Los Angeles are up 210.6% and 47.5% on 2016 respectively.

Norwegian’s direct flights to Denver and Seattle also begin in September (next month), and the airline’s recently announced routes to Austin, Chicago and Buenos Aires launch early next year.

$1.49BN INVESTMENT FOR THE FUTURE

Commenting, Gatwick Airport CEO Stewart Wingate said: “Gatwick’s passenger numbers for July clearly illustrate the important and growing role Gatwick is playing in bringing Britain and Asia closer together.

“As the demand for travel to and from East Asia continues to rise, Gatwick has responded by adding exciting new destinations such as Taipei and Singapore to our rapidly expanding network of over 60 long-haul routes.

“The £1.15bn ($1.49bn) set to be invested at Gatwick over the next five years will revolutionise our facilities and transform the airport experience for our passengers, ultimately paving the way for increased connections, including to China – one of our key ambitions for the near future.”