London’s Gatwick Airport reopens south terminal to meet summer demand

Flights to increase in frequency from about 300 to 570 a day, equivalent to opening a medium-size airport overnight.

The south terminal of Gatwick Airport, near London, has reopened. PA

London’s Gatwick Airport reopened its south terminal on Sunday to meet expected strong demand for air travel this summer after the UK lifted all Covid travel rules.

The number of flights will increase from about 300 to 570 a day, the equivalent of opening a medium-sized airport overnight.

The terminal has been dormant since June 15, 2020 to reduce costs during the coronavirus pandemic.

Its shops and cafes have undergone months of refurbishment, updating and cleaning for the reopening.

Gatwick said the expansion in the choice of destinations flown direct from the airport and positive booking data hint at a busy summer ahead.

Chief executive Stewart Wingate said: “A lot of work has gone into preparing our south terminal, and I would like to thank everybody involved as their combined efforts mean that today we are effectively opening a medium-sized airport overnight, which is no small task.

“We’re now ready and excited to welcome passengers back in large numbers, and our restaurants, shops, cafes and bars are also looking forward to serving passengers again before they jet off on holiday, to visit friends and family or take that vital business trip.

“After a difficult two years, we know there is significant pent-up demand for international travel, so I advise passengers to book early to make sure they secure the flights they want this summer”.

He added that the reopening was “great news” for the local community, as well as support and supply businesses that depend on the airport.

British Airways, Wizz Air and Vueling are among the airlines switching from the north to the south terminal between between Sunday and Tuesday.

BA previously announced it will restart its short-haul flights at Gatwick from March 29, with 35 European routes operated by a standalone business.

EasyJet will operate from both terminals as it plans to run its busiest ever flying schedule from the airport with 120 routes.

Gatwick advised passengers to check which terminal their flight is departing from before heading to the airport, to arrive early as terminals may be busy, to make sure their passport is still valid and to check foreign travel advice for their destination countries.

British Airways through the years - in pictures

• 

  British Airways has been flying for over 100 years. It was founded as Aircraft Transport and Travel Limited in 1919. All photos: Getty Images

• 

  A British Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft taking off in 2021

• 

  British Airways employees welcome Olympians returning from the Tokyo Olympics at Heathrow Airport in August 2021

• 

  A British Airways Boeing 747-400 aircraft arrives at St Athan Airport in Wales in 2020, after setting off for its last flight

• 

  A British Union flag flies from the cockpit of a new Airbus A380 aircraft after landing at Heathrow Airport in 2013

• 

  Spectators watch as the last Concorde lands at Heathrow Airport in 2003

• 

  British Airways Concordes at Glasgow Airport in 1983

• 

  David Nicholson, the first chairman of British Airways after the merger of a number of UK airlines, proudly displays a model of the Concorde in 1973

• 

  The first Boeing 747 to be operated by the British Overseas Airways Corporation arrives at Heathrow Airport in May 1970

• 

  Hawker Siddeley HS 121 Trident 1C medium-range commercial jets for British European Airways at de Havillands Hatfield Aerodrome in 1963

• 

  A British Overseas Airways Corporation Comet III aircraft on display at Farnborough in 1954. The British Overseas Airways Corporation was formed in April 1940

• 

  Passengers queuing to board a British European Airways Vickers Viking aircraft in 1950

• 

  The British Overseas Airways Corporation Short Solent passenger flying boat docks at her new berth near Tower Bridge in London in 1949

• 

  A British Overseas Airways Corporation air stewardess brings a tray of coffee to passengers during a Second World War flight in 1945

• 

  A British Airways passenger aircraft at Gatwick Airport in 1936

• 

  Four Handley Page W10 and one Handley Page W9 Hampstead aircraft operated by Imperial Airways are christened by Lady Maud Hoare, Viscountess Templewood, at Croydon Aerodrome in 1926. Imperial Airways was created in 1924