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New routes ensure Gatwick growth continues
April 16, 2012

Gatwick has recorded its 15th consecutive month of growth, with passenger numbers up by 3.9% in March to 93,400.

Reduction in long-haul capacity by charter airlines was partially offset by the introduction of new carriers from Asia.

Air traffic movements in March were down 3.5% year on year due largely to reductions in charter operations.

But there was growth in short-haul services by budget carriers, the airport said, as it recorded passenger growth of 6.9% in the year to March to 33.8 million.

Korean Air is due to add flights to Seoul at the end of April and Air China is scheduled to start a Beijing service in May.

This follows Italian low cost airline Air One launching double daily flights between Gatwick and Milan and Hong Kong Airlines starting a daily service to Hong Kong in March.

Gatwick chief executive Stewart Wingate said: “This has been a successful year for Gatwick, having achieved passenger growth every single month despite the economic headwinds being faced in our industry.

“We have been competing vigorously with other London airports including Heathrow, Stansted and Luton and we have been winning new routes to the UK’s key trading partners, providing direct connections between London and high growth economies.

“In this last year, Gatwick has attracted new routes to South Korea, Turkey, Vietnam, Hong Kong, China and the Caribbean.

“We continue to provide connections to closer destinations with new routes to Germany and Iceland, and we have seen growth from some of our established carriers including easyJet and Norwegian Air Shuttle.

“Gatwick’s improving connections should help to maintain London’s role as a major hub.”

Source :- http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/