Gatwick Airport through the years - in pictures

  • The construction site of the main terminal building at Gatwick Airport in 1935. All photos: Getty Images
    The construction site of the main terminal building at Gatwick Airport in 1935. All photos: Getty Images
  • Workmen completing the main building at Gatwick in 1936
    Workmen completing the main building at Gatwick in 1936
  • Tinsley Green Station being renamed in 1936, a week before the opening of the new airport
    Tinsley Green Station being renamed in 1936, a week before the opening of the new airport
  • Passengers check-in at the newly opened Gatwick Airport in 1936
    Passengers check-in at the newly opened Gatwick Airport in 1936
  • A British Airways passenger aircraft at Gatwick Airport in 1936
    A British Airways passenger aircraft at Gatwick Airport in 1936
  • An aerial view of Gatwick Airport in 1938
    An aerial view of Gatwick Airport in 1938
  • Flyovers leading to and from the main Brighton Road at Gatwick Airport in 1958
    Flyovers leading to and from the main Brighton Road at Gatwick Airport in 1958
  • American Vice President Richard Nixon greets the crowds on arrival at Gatwick Airport in 1958
    American Vice President Richard Nixon greets the crowds on arrival at Gatwick Airport in 1958
  • A group of young women wait to use a photo booth machine to obtain passport style photos at Gatwick Airport in 1963
    A group of young women wait to use a photo booth machine to obtain passport style photos at Gatwick Airport in 1963
  • British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, right, welcomes US President John F Kennedy at Gatwick Airport in 1963
    British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, right, welcomes US President John F Kennedy at Gatwick Airport in 1963
  • Passengers queue at the check-in counters in 1966
    Passengers queue at the check-in counters in 1966
  • Paul McCartney with his wife Linda and their two children, Mary and Heather, at Gatwick Airport in 1971
    Paul McCartney with his wife Linda and their two children, Mary and Heather, at Gatwick Airport in 1971
  • Hideaway, Graham Fletcher's mount for the Prix des Nations jumping competition at the Montreal Olympics, is coaxed on to a plane at Gatwick in 1976
    Hideaway, Graham Fletcher's mount for the Prix des Nations jumping competition at the Montreal Olympics, is coaxed on to a plane at Gatwick in 1976
  • Pope John Paul II kisses the tarmac on his arrival at Gatwick Airport in 1982
    Pope John Paul II kisses the tarmac on his arrival at Gatwick Airport in 1982
  • Terry Waite at Gatwick Airport with released hostage Robin Plummer and his family in 1985. Plummer's release from Libya was negotiated by Waite
    Terry Waite at Gatwick Airport with released hostage Robin Plummer and his family in 1985. Plummer's release from Libya was negotiated by Waite
  • Richard Branson in the cabin of a Virgin hot air balloon at Gatwick Airport before it was taken to its starting point in Sussex for its record Atlantic crossing in 1987
    Richard Branson in the cabin of a Virgin hot air balloon at Gatwick Airport before it was taken to its starting point in Sussex for its record Atlantic crossing in 1987
  • Team GB at Gatwick Airport after arriving home from the 2004 Olympics in Greece
    Team GB at Gatwick Airport after arriving home from the 2004 Olympics in Greece
  • Aircraft at the Southern Terminal of Gatwick Airport in 2009
    Aircraft at the Southern Terminal of Gatwick Airport in 2009
  • An empty departures lounge at Gatwick Airport in 2010, as passengers faced a sixth day of airport closures due to volcanic ash from Iceland
    An empty departures lounge at Gatwick Airport in 2010, as passengers faced a sixth day of airport closures due to volcanic ash from Iceland
  • A family look at the arrivals board during the 2013 Christmas period
    A family look at the arrivals board during the 2013 Christmas period
  • Border Force official Claire Chapman and her sniffer dog Pip check luggage arriving at Gatwick Airport in 2014
    Border Force official Claire Chapman and her sniffer dog Pip check luggage arriving at Gatwick Airport in 2014
  • Deserted check-in desks in the North Terminal at Gatwick Airport during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020
    Deserted check-in desks in the North Terminal at Gatwick Airport during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020
  • Passengers queue at Gatwick Airport as electronic passport gates fail across the UK in 2023
    Passengers queue at Gatwick Airport as electronic passport gates fail across the UK in 2023