Article from BTNews 20 JUNE 2016
Gatwick opens new Pier 1
A multi-million pound new pier, one of the largest projects the airport has undertaken, was unveiled by Gatwick last week.
It houses an entirely new baggage system for the South Terminal and five state-of-the-art passenger gaterooms with views across the runway.
Each gate includes a family area, interactive spaces to keep children entertained and a “Touchdown” business area.
The new baggage system can accommodate more than 4,250 bags an hour and will service the whole of the South Terminal.
Opened by Croydon MP Steve Reed, it replaces the old Pier 1, which was opened by the Queen in 1958, and also contains Gatwick’s first “early bag store”.
This allows up to 2,600 pieces of luggage to be checked up to 18hr before departure, which officials say will improves convenience for passengers and reduce queues by spreading out check-in times.
Four new taxiways have also been constructed – reducing delays on the airfield – with new dual-boarding facilities to cut queues at the passenger gates.
A new lounge for premium passengers has been installed on top of the new pier and offers panoramic views across the airfield.
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