-
Learning from our biggest challenges
I appeared before the Transport Select Committee in parliament this week to talk about the impact of the recent snow on operations at Gatwick.
As you probably remember, we had our coldest December for generations - having been told by forecasters that last year's snow was a 1 in 20 year event.
I know exactly how bad it was for those travelling. It took me 13 hours to drive just 40 miles on the M25 on my way into Gatwick.
Unprecedented, continuous snowfall forced Gatwick to close for two days in early December, however, a few weeks later, when it snowed again, our runway was closed for just a few hours.
This was not down to luck.
It was down to leadership, communications and teamwork. And that’s exactly what I told the Transport Select Committee and industry leaders on Tuesday.
At Gatwick, we learn from challenging situations and we did in December.
After the first snowfall, we pushed the button on an £8 million investment to double the size of our snow clearing equipment. We now have more snow ploughs than any other UK airport and we’re on a par with Oslo airport for snow clearing capability.
We also learned that we have a pivotal role to play in working with our airlines to give timely and clear information to passengers, their friends and families about disruption. It’s this teamwork – not just with our staff – but with all our airport partners that really made the difference.
BA's operations director, Andrew Lord, also praised our response. He said there were "clearly" lessons that Heathrow could take from Gatwick's performance. "The way Gatwick has learned over the past 18 months is probably the best example."
Despite all our hard work to get Gatwick moving, our passengers were at the mercy of the road and rail network to get to and from our airport.While we were open within a matter of hours it was some days before the rail links were fully operational - and I reinforced this to the Select Committee.
Improving the way the wider transport infrastructure copes is fundamental to our ability to keep Gatwick running during future snow.
2 Comments
-
- Stewart replies:
- Posted: 1:59pm. Thursday 31 March 2011
-
With demand for air travel set to increase, we need to make the most efficient use of our single runway and existing infrastructure. In setting the airport charges at Gatwick for the next year, we have only increased the aircraft landing fees during the busy summer period when travel demand is at its highest and capacity at the airport at its most restricted. We have removed landing fees at Gatwick during the quieter winter period to encourage greater all year round use.
Gatwick continues to charge lower landing fees for smaller, quieter, less polluting aircraft, such as used on regional services. This pricing structure reflects Gatwick's ongoing commitment to encouraging more environmental travel.Naturally we are disappointed by Flybe’s business decision to remove the Leeds/Bradford to Gatwick service, particularly given domestic travel from Gatwick remains competitively priced. Indeed, in terms of airport charges it is cheaper - by almost £4 per passenger - for an airline to fly to the UK regions from Gatwick than, for example, to France from Gatwick.
-
- Aidan Stradling:
- Posted: 11:57am. Thursday 31 March 2011
-
I hear that flybe has blamed a Gatwick Airport policy of discouraging smaller aircraft for dropping their Leeds/Bradford - Gatwick route. Notwithstanding this particular case, is there such a policy?
Hear from Stewart and the team
Join in our converstion on what matters to Stewart Wingate and his team.
Showing 1 - 2 of 2 comments