Passengers who travel through London Gatwick Airport could soon enjoy a range of new features as the largest transformation in its history is coming to an end.
Scheduled to be completed in early 2024 with an investment of over £10 million, the new airport will offer a more personalised experience in a modern-looking space.
Retailer Delights
In 2023, London Gatwick Airport launched its largest multi-site tender since 2017, requesting retailers to submit bids for coveted trading space. Notably, the tender did not include duty-free, which had been operated by Dufry-owned World Duty Free since 2018. The tender included five South Terminal units, with two island kiosks, and nine North Terminal units, with two more island kiosks.
The revamp is offering more than 1,000 square metres of combined retail space across the North and South Terminals. This space was primarily designated for fashion and specialty retail offerings. The investment is a revival of travelling after years of challenges faced by the industry.
London Gatwick Airport is gearing up to introduce its inaugural Black Sheep Coffee and Krispy Kreme outlets, and these new additions will be ready to serve travellers in both the North and South Terminals just in time for the approaching holiday season. In keeping with the airport’s fresh vision of being the ‘airport for everyone, whatever your journey’, these offerings are poised to enhance the passengers’ options, providing a welcome abundance of choices for the bustling festive season.
In the South Terminal, the Giraffe World Kitchen is embarking on an expansion project, set to increase its capacity by nearly 60 additional covers, spread across an extra 119 square metres, complete with a brand-new bar area.
Traditionally, Gatwick experiences its busiest days for departures during the holiday season on Friday, December 30, closely followed by Friday, December 23. An estimated 750,000 passengers are anticipated to pass through the airport during the Christmas and New Year period.
These newcomers follow the recent launch of curi.o.city, a unique concept from WHSmith, offering a diverse selection of gifts and souvenirs from a range of captivating regional, London-based, and global brands, such as Cambridge Gin, Biscuiteers, Kew Gardens, ZSL London Zoo, and Harry Potter.
Fresh Look
Being the UK’s second-busiest airport, it had already served 18.5 million passengers in the first six months of 2023. It is a hub for established airlines that offer flights to London, like British Airways (BA), EasyJet, Wizz Air, as well as charter operators such as TUI Airways. With over 40 airlines operating from London Gatwick Airport, travellers can choose from a wide array of options, with access to over 150 short-haul and more than 45 long-haul destinations.
Within the modernised departure lounge, travellers could expect new flooring and contemporary seating. Every seat would be equipped with accessible power outlets, strategically placed in distinct ‘mood zones,’ enabling passengers to tailor their pre-flight activities to their preferences, whether it be relaxation, work, or shopping.
An eco-conscious planting scheme would bring the natural world indoors as well, drawing inspiration from the scenic West Sussex countryside. Local artwork would prominently adorn the surroundings, reinforcing Gatwick’s strong ties to the local region.
This redevelopment initiative is an integral part of a broader multi-million-pound development programme, which includes investments in the train station, airport modernisation, and expansion. Additionally, the airport is actively investing in its long-term prospects and preparing a planning application to bring the airport’s Northern Runway into regular use.
