Press Release

• Local children design castle-themed security walk through in the South Terminal
• Delivering the best passenger experience wins Gatwick an ‘Outstanding Achievement Award’ award

Going through airport security can be the least favourite part of flying for any passenger, but particularly for young children.  So, with the help of seven year old Ross Sandwell, a pupil of Milton Mount Primary School in Crawley, Gatwick has created an ‘adventure walk’ for children going through security in Gatwick’s South Terminal.  To enter security, children can now walk through their very own eight-foot high castle and join their parents at the other end.

Last week, co-designer Ross Sandwell was joined by his classmates to test out the new child-friendly adventure walk through security.

Head teacher of Milton Mount School, Mrs Holmes said: 'We are delighted Gatwick Airport has involved pupils from the school in ideas for a new security area designed specifically for families with young children. The whole school is very excited about the opening'.

Geoff Williams, Head of Security at Gatwick Airport, said: "The input from the school-children has been fantastic - making the security environment more welcoming and inviting for younger children.  We have improved every aspect of security - from the preparation area right through to the moment passengers hit the lounge - and are confident that the changes we have made will make a huge difference to all those travelling through the airport.”

The new impressive 19-lane South Terminal security area now has a separate entrance into security with two lanes dedicated to families with young children and passengers with reduced mobility (PRM).  This innovation is designed to help reduce the hassle and stress of passing through security, providing a more relaxed service to passengers who require more time and space to pass through security. 

The ‘Family and Assistance’ lanes include a spacious preparation with specially trained staff and customised facilities to provide a more tailored service for these passengers, including wider lanes and x-ray machines.  

Peter Hall, Chairman Gatwick's Passenger Advisory Group (PAG), said, "The opening of the two security lanes shows the commitment of Gatwick Airport to providing facilities that satisfy the needs of these two special groups of travellers. Members of PAG have provided input to the project at various stages and it is really pleasing that the new facilities are being well received by passengers.”

Gatwick is committed to delivering the best airport experience for its passengers, and so alongside its investment in innovations such as the ‘Family and Assistance’ security lanes the airport has trained all of its 1,600 security staff in a Tourism South East City and Guilds qualification in customer service.

The airports’ commitment to delivering excellent customer service has been recently recognised by Tourism South East, who awarded Gatwick with the ‘Outstanding Achievement Award’ at their annual ‘Beautiful South Awards for Excellence 2011’.

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