Frequently asked questions

Please take a look here first – but if your question still hasn’t been answered, contact us at: idcentre@gatwickairport.com.

For Gatwick-based companies who need further information about access to BAA airports, go to: www.baa.com/idcentre and follow the ‘Gatwick sale update’ link.

For passholders

I have a BAA-issued pass which allows me access to Gatwick. When will this change?Your BAA-issued ID pass will continue to operate as normal at Gatwick Airport until the pass expires or needs to be replaced. However, even though you are using the same pass to access both BAA airports and Gatwick, our systems are now working quite independently.

If you have been issued with a new BAA pass for any reason (eg new photo, change of access or replacement) since June 2010, you will have lost access to Gatwick and must apply for a separate Gatwick pass. Similarly, when your current pass expires you must apply for separate Gatwick and BAA passes.

My BAA-issued pass used to allow me access to Gatwick.  Will it still work?
If you swiped your pass at Gatwick in the six months preceding June 2010 you will still have access at Gatwick.  If you didn’t, or if you have changed your pass since June 2010, you must now apply for a new Gatwick pass if you require access.

What do I do if my ID pass is suspended/parked for lack of use?
If your pass is suspended at Gatwick, you must contact your company’s authorised signatory to request that your pass is reinstated.  However, be aware that unparking your pass at Gatwick will have no effect on the status of your pass at a BAA airport. 

If you have used your pass at a BAA airport in the last 60 days, it will continue to work at all BAA airports (at which you have access rights).

As a pass holder, where can I get further information?
Contact your company’s authorised signatory.

Pass renewals

How do I replace my pass?
It depends whether it was issued at Gatwick or at a BAA airport.  Although no new passes issued by BAA after May 2010 will have access to Gatwick, existing BAA passes could have access up until May 2015.  For the process to be followed until that time, see this diagram.

Why do I have to provide different forms if my card wasn’t issued at Gatwick?
As part of the separation of the access control IT systems we now have ‘foreign’ records on our system for users who had their current pass issued at another airport.  New passes cannot be added to these, so for a new pass we’ll need a fully completed new Gatwick application form, for which original references may be needed. [see this explanatory diagram]

My current pass allows me access to Gatwick and BAA, will my new pass allow me the same access?
No.  Our systems are now separate so a new pass issued at Gatwick will have no permissions at a BAA airport and vice versa. 

Companies and authorised signatories

When will you stop exporting Gatwick issued ID passes to BAA airports?
We’ve already done so. Passes issued at Gatwick can no longer give access to a BAA airport. If you need a pass for a BAA airport, you need to apply directly to them.

My company is based at a BAA airport and we have ID passes operating at Gatwick.

When will our ID passes stop working at Gatwick?
If your existing passes are currently active on the Gatwick system they will continue to do so until the pass expires or needs to be replaced.

However, any passes issued or reissued at a BAA airport since June 2010 will not work here – in which case pass holders will need a separate Gatwick pass.

See diagram for more information.

What if I need to obtain ID passes for both Gatwick and BAA?
As Gatwick is now a separate company, we can’t issue one pass to cover Gatwick and BAA airports. If you need an applicant to have access to both BAA sites and Gatwick you need to apply for separate Gatwick and BAA passes.   

Application forms for Gatwick passes are available on this site – for BAA applications, go to www.baa.com/idcentre. 

Make sure you use the correct forms for each airport – otherwise your application will be delayed or refused.

If  I need to apply for a Gatwick ID pass and a BAA ID pass, will copies of references and CRCs be accepted?
Only original references and CRCs will be accepted. If you need to apply to both BAA and Gatwick Airport you’ll have to decide in which order to do so.

Provided the applications are submitted in good time, there should be plenty of time to – both companies aim to turn around applications quickly enough to allow CRCs to be processed at both airports within the 10-week eligibility period. 

Where do I get Gatwick application forms from?
Gatwick application forms can be found here.

Will we get a Gatwick account manager?
The majority of accounts are already managed by the account management team in the Gatwick ID Centre. Unless you have been told otherwise, you should continue to contact your existing account manager with any questions.   

Any accounts that are still managed by BAA will be migrated to Gatwick later this summer – those affected will be told directly. 

Pass parking/unparking

How does the parking process work for people with access to Gatwick and BAA on one pass?
Any pass which gives access to Gatwick will park at our airport if it is not swiped on an airside reader here within 60 days of the last swipe. 

If your pass also gives access to BAA airports it will work independently of Gatwick. If your pass parks at Gatwick, this has no impact on it parking at BAA and vice versa.

How does the unparking process work for people with access to Gatwick and BAA on one pass?
We can only unpark your Gatwick access – which will have no impact on any access status your pass might have at a BAA airport. 

To reinstate any pass parked on the Gatwick system, complete a Gatwick reinstatement form and follow the attached instructions when submitting your request.

How do I reinstate a BAA issued ID pass that is parked/suspended on the Gatwick system?
Any pass which is operational on the Gatwick system not used at Gatwick airport within the last 60 days will park at Gatwick airport. To reinstate any pass parked/suspended on the Gatwick system, you need to complete a Gatwick reinstatement form.

Vehicle permits

Are Heathrow or Stansted-issued vehicle permits still valid for use at Gatwick?
For a short period, vehicle permits issued at Heathrow and Stansted will continue to allow access at Gatwick. Any companies that need airside access at Gatwick in the future are recommended to register for Gatwick vehicle permits at their earliest opportunity to make sure they don’t lose access. 

The Gatwick ID pass scheme

Does my company need to apply to join the Gatwick ID pass scheme?
For your company to operate at a BAA airport you will have registered on the BAA ID pass scheme.

As the ability to export passes to Gatwick has stopped, you will only be able to get passes for Gatwick by joining the Gatwick ID pass scheme. If your company doesn’t have an operational need for passes for Gatwick, you don’t need to register with Gatwick.

How do I know if my company is registered on the Gatwick ID pass scheme?
If any of your pass holders have collected their passes from the Gatwick ID centre, your company is likely to be registered on our ID pass scheme. If you’re unsure, email us at idcentre@gatwickairport.com

How do I join the Gatwick ID pass scheme?
You must complete our ID scheme enquiry form.    

Can my company apply for temporary ID passes at Gatwick without joining the Gatwick ID pass scheme?
No. You need to complete our ID scheme enquiry form. 

I am currently an authorised signatory at a BAA airport. Do I need to attend another training session to become an authorised signatory for Gatwick?
You must attend Gatwick specific training session to become a Gatwick authorised signatory. You will need to be nominated via a Gatwick authorised signatory nomination form.  Nomination can be made by one of your company’s existing Gatwick authorised signatories or a senior manager within your organisation.  When your application to become an authorised signatory is approved, you will be contacted by the ID Centre to attend training.

Gatwick authorised signatory nomination forms can be downloaded here.    

My company is currently based at a BAA airport and we may need passes for Gatwick. What must I do?
You can only submit an application for a Gatwick pass if your company is registered on the Gatwick ID pass scheme. Once registered, you may apply for a Gatwick pass. These applications should be submitted to the Gatwick ID Centre.