Press Release

BAA Gatwick gears up for Christmas


18 December 2006

Between Friday 22 December 2006 and Tuesday 2 January 2007 around one million departing and arriving passengers will pass through the airport. The busiest day will be Saturday 30 December with just under 110,000 passengers. Passengers will be travelling to destinations from Dublin to Dubai and Amsterdam to Atlanta.

Security advice

With the additional security regulations still in place, BAA Gatwick is reminding its holiday passengers of how they can help themselves to get through the airport easily. Hand baggage is restricted to one item per person only. The item should measure no more than 56cm x 25cm x 45cm (22” x 10” x 17.7”) . Handbags count as one item. Liquid items can be carried in individual containers not exceeding 100ml, providing they are carried in a resealable clear plastic bag measuring no more than 20cm x 20cm (8” x 8”), which should be removed from hand baggage and presented to security separately. To avoid unnecessary delays at the airport Christmas gifts should NOT be wrapped, whether they are carried in hand or checked-in baggage and Christmas crackers and party poppers should NOT be carried in either hand or checked-in baggage. Passengers are also reminded that sharp items must not be carried in hand baggage and to check with their airline before setting off for the airport. Passengers should expect to spend extra time at check in and passing through security, although we advise arriving no earlier than three hours before departure time. BAA Gatwick also advises that only those flying should come to the airport, to help avoid congestion within the terminals and forecourts.

Travel information

Passengers are advised that Network Rail is undertaking major engineering works on the railway that will affect all rail services between Gatwick and London over the Christmas period. In addition work is also taking place on the railway in the Portsmouth and Chichester areas. Passengers intending to use the rail services to travel to Gatwick Airport during the holiday season are advised to call National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 or log on to www.nationalrail.co.uk. (link to URL: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/)

For all of this information, dedicated passenger information services have been set up and include a free telephone number on 0800 883 0581, Text “gatwick” to 64222 or email – gatwick@baa.com.

All these services will give travellers automated responses with information on preparing for their journey, what to pack, hand baggage restrictions and shopping at the airport. BAA Gatwick wishes everybody a safe, secure and happy Christmas.  

Notes to Editors:

The top ten destinations for the Christmas holiday are:

Geneva

Tenerife

Orlando

Dublin

Edinburgh

Malaga

Barbados

Amsterdam

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