Investment 'paying dividends' at Gatwick

Gatwick Airport has released figures covering its operations in December 2007 and claimed that they are reflective of the investment that was made in the hub last year.

In the final month of the year, Gatwick handled nearly 2.5 million passengers, which is an increase of 2.7 per cent on December 2006.

The Republic of Ireland saw the biggest boost in flights from the London airport, with a 19.7 per cent year-on-year increase in passenger numbers.

Some 11.7 per cent more people flew from Gatwick Airport to north Atlantic destinations in December, while the European market saw growth of 5.8 per cent.

Andy Flower, managing director of the hub, said: "During 2007 we worked hard to recruit more security officers and increase the number of search lanes at Gatwick.

"I am pleased that this work is paying dividends and the successful Christmas period took Gatwick Airport to well over 35 million passengers a year."

BAA's seven UK airports handled a total of 10.9 million passengers in the final month of 2007, which represents growth of 0.7 per cent.