Press Release

London Gatwick Airport December 2009 traffic performance summary

28 January 2010

December 2009 marked the third consecutive month of growth in passenger numbers at London Gatwick Airport.

Note: Origins and destinations are classified according to ultimate origin or destination of aircraft in the case of multi-sector flights.
Note: Figures for the market sectors have been rounded. Totals as per traffic summary.

Stewart Wingate, London Gatwick Airport’s Chief Executive Officer said:
“I am pleased to end the year with a third consecutive month of growth in passenger numbers which demonstrates that Gatwick Airport is recovering well from the economic downturn. While overall annual passenger numbers were lower than in 2008, the newly independent Gatwick Airport will compete strongly to become the airport of choice for airlines and passengers in 2010 and beyond.”

Key points:

• Despite the adverse weather conditions from snow and ice in the run up to Christmas, passenger numbers rose 1.5% on the prior year, largely driven by a continued increase in the European scheduled market as existing carriers enter or expand in this market.
• European charter flights fell 20.7% and remained behind in the year on year comparison due to reduced demand and the consolidation of services by some of the airport's main leisure carriers.
• North Atlantic destinations show the full year impact of the Open Skies agreement which has seen leading US carriers transfer services to Heathrow.
• Performance for the 12 months to December 2009 finished 5.3% down on the prior year. This was driven by nine consecutive months of declining year-on-year traffic prior to the recovery over the last three months.
• Air transport movements remain behind the prior year following the intentional downsizing by airlines as a result of the economic downturn.
• Cargo tonnage showed strong growth in December compared to the same month last year but on an annual basis remains down.


Media enquiries :

 
Andrew McCallum, Director of Communications and Public Affairs
Tel: +44 (0)7827 983965
Email: andrew.mccallum@gatwickairport.com

Investor enquiries: 

 
Sarah Hunter, Strategy and Finance Director
Tel: +44 (0)7876 398263
Email: sarah.hunter@gatwickairport.com

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