Article from BTNews 10 SEPTEMBER 2018
Grayling praise for Gatwick
Boeing’s decision to base a new 60,000sq m service hangar at Gatwick was hailed by transport secretary Chris Grayling during a visit to the airport last week to see progress on the £88m facility project and other new developments.
The hangar (BTN 21 November 2016), due to open early next year, will maintain some of the industry’s most energy-efficient aircraft, including Boeing’s B787 Dreamliner, which is flown by several of Gatwick’s major airlines.
It is one of several projects helping Gatwick to achieve its goal of being a leading sustainable airport following a record year resulting in more than 65 long-haul routes now flown including newcomers such as Buenos Aires, Chicago and Chengdu and Shanghai.
Grayling also saw another new addition to Gatwick, the airport’s Bluecity pan-London 100% electric vehicle sharing service, launched this summer (BTN 23 July). Bluecity is the only company operating such a facility and has more than 300 pick-up and drop-off points.
The minister said: “The aviation industry plays a critical role to the UK economy and I welcome Boeing’s decision to make a significant investment at Gatwick. It is equally encouraging to see the focus given to sustainable growth as the UK’s second largest airport continues to develop.”
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Michael carrivick, Wokingham
Gatwick's growth, and Heathrow's current constraints against being able to meet market needs demonstrate that expansion of runway capacity should be permitted at both airports.