Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30
Coronavirus FAQs
Questions about Coronavirus? Click here for more information. Please note that due to exceptional circumstances our opening hours are currently 09:00 to 17:30 Monday to Friday. Please contact us to amend your dates or cancel your policy.
13 March 2017 07:49
Traffic to Los Angeles was up 90% compared with February 2016
Gatwick Airport is insisting it is still a "credible and deliverable" expansion option, as the airport experienced its busiest ever February.
Figures show passenger growth for February almost hit double digits, rising 9.9% last month compared with the same month a year earlier.
Gatwick bosses maintain that the south east airport continues to offer a strong alternative for runway expansion, despite a Government statement confirming Heathrow is the "preferred option".
Gatwick chief executive Stewart Wingate said: "Gatwick's February passenger figures demonstrate the confidence we are witnessing from our passengers, with travel still high priority following the Brexit referendum."
He continued: "Our long-haul growth is driving the natural corresponding cargo increase, this month plus 6%, which is joined by strong growth in Gatwick's regional connections across Britain, demonstrating Gatwick's vital economic role both within Britain and internationally, as we continue to offer the UK Government a credible and deliverable option for runway expansion."
Strong long-haul growth
Some three million travellers passed through the airport last month, and the number of long-haul passengers increased by 20.3%.
Routes to Los Angeles are up 90% compared with the same month last year.
West Coast figures are set to further increase this year as British Airways adds a new route to Oakland, California.
Anyone planning a long-haul trip should take out comprehensive travel insurance.
Winter sports on top
Ski resorts are also a favourite among Gatwick passengers, with Geneva coming top as the airport's most popular destination.
Some 109,500 travellers headed out to the luxurious Swiss destination last month, up 5% on February 2016.
Meanwhile, passengers from Gatwick to Innsbruck in Austria surged 9% and there has been an 8% rise in travellers to Grenoble in France.
09 March 2020
Move over hot cross buns and chocolate eggs, there's a whole world of Easter treats out there. Here are some alternative Easter foods from around the world.
[more...]
Forget egg hunts and bunnies, Easter's done a little bit differently in these corners of the world. Here five alternative Easter celebrations.
28 February 2020
Keep your carbon footprint in check and travel green with our eco-friendly travel tips.
25 February 2020
For true carefree travel, decide on a destination that's kinder to the planet...
20 February 2020
Travel into the future and not just through time-zones, with destinations shaping urban living.
National Anthem Day falls on the 3rd March, so what better excuse is there to delve into into the world of music and motherland?
Discover five alternative places to get down on one knee this leap year.
Two-wheels are better than none. Check out our favourite cities best explored from a saddle.
04 February 2020
Make your phone the perfect travel companion for the new year...
Bohemian boulevards and ornate opera houses await away from the Six Nations action.
Kite Flying Day falls on 8th February. What better time is there to plan your next trip through the skies?
10 February 2020
With Ferris Wheel Day on 14th February, there's never been a better excuse to enjoy a foreign skyline.