Press Release

• Gatwick joins Barclays, BT and easyJet to make the UK more family friendly
• Gatwick is the only UK airport to pledge its commitment to putting families first
• New family friendly initiatives being rolled out at Gatwick in 2011

Gatwick has become one of a number of leading organisations, and the only UK airport, to join a new Family Friendly scheme launched today by the Family and Parenting Institute. The scheme aims to make the UK more family friendly.

Since Gatwick changed ownership in December 2009, it has openly pledged its commitment to improving the passenger experience to, through and from the airport and, as the busiest single runway airport offering families the choice of over 200 holiday destinations, it is fitting that Gatwick should become a leading pioneer of the scheme.

Over the past 18 months, Gatwick has rolled out a number of family friendly initiatives to help take the stress out of travel for families, particularly those with young children in tow.

In Spring 2010, Gatwick became the only UK airport to create separate security lanes – “Assistance lanes” - to give families travelling with young children in buggies extra help through security after checking-in.

Earlier this year, Gatwick created dedicated “kids’ zones” in the departure lounges of both terminals for children aged between 0-5 years to enable parents and guardians to relax while their children are kept entertained.

Both initiatives have received positive feedback from passengers. Over 90% of passengers surveyed who used the “kids’ zones” rated the facility as either excellent or good and commented that the areas help to keep their children occupied and away from other passengers, which in turn helps parents to relax.

Stewart Wingate, Chief Executive of Gatwick Airport said: “Millions of families choose to travel through Gatwick airport every year.  We realise that travelling with children can be stressful, so we’re going out of our way to make their journey through the airport more enjoyable.

“We’re also doing everything we can to help our employees balance their home and family commitments with the great job they do at Gatwick. That’s why we’re proud to be supporting the Family Friendly scheme.”

In joining the Family Friendly scheme, Gatwick has pledged to introduce a number of new initiatives or enhance existing facilities in 2011 to improve the experience of families travelling through the airport and provide support to its staff.  These commitments include:

• modernising all baby changing areas across both terminals 
• trialling the provision of airside prams for arriving passengers with toddlers
• providing play areas for children aged between '5 - 11' in both terminals
• providing facilities for 'teenagers' with mobile/laptop charging points and large screens to host interactive games consoles
• developing specific seating areas for passengers with young children to create family only areas with appropriate baby/toddler feeding facilities
• offering a pre-booked 'porter service' for departing family passengers to take care of luggage and escort the family members through the terminals
• working with on-airport retail and catering outlets to seek discounted deals for families
• reviewing policies on maternity, paternity and flexible working.

Media enquiries to
GATWICK AIRPORT PRESS OFFICE
+ 44 (0) 1293 505000
gatwickmedia@gatwickairport.com