Gatwick’s new deal

Gatwick has put forward a seven-year ‘Contracts & Commitments’ framework to the CAA to replace the current regulated system.  The Authority will publish proposals by 30 April 2013 and make a final decision in January 2014.

The Gatwick proposition has not been well received by its airline clients, the British Air Transport Association (BATA) saying it is an “exercise in smoke and mirrors”. The price per passenger at Gatwick today stands at £8.28 and will be £8.80 by April 2014.  The airport’s suggestion is that prices would rise to £10.40 by 2018/19 and £10.68 by 2020/21, well under half of Heathrow.

Gatwick proposes to keep up the pace of change with a further £1bn investment in the airport between 2014 and 2019 noting that the well received improvements to date have cost £892m with around £20m per month being spent on upgrades and improvements to the airport facilities. 

Notable work currently under way is a redevelopment of the southern pier which will see a two-storey replacement built.  Facilities will include a new baggage system, allowing passengers to use automated fast-bag drops, and new gate rooms linked to five new aircraft stands by air bridges.  Airlines will also have the option to offer ‘day before’ check-in, through a new automated system. www.gatwickairport.com/a-new-deal

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