Gatwick refurbishment underway

Author: Elizabeth Smythe - 04 June 2013

Work has begun on the latest stage of Gatwick Airport's £1.2 billion improvement project, bbc.co.uk reports.

Demolition has started on Pier One, the 51-year-old structure that links the South Terminal with boarding gates. It will be replaced with a new covered walkway building which incorporates an innovative baggage system, dedicated family and business traveller gate rooms and five aircraft stands.

The baggage system will enable passengers to drop off bags without having to wait for check-in to open, while the 'new pier' will enable improved aircraft taxiing.

Gatwick Airport Ltd chief executive, Stewart Wingate explained the aim behind the refurbishment was to offer passengers a far better experience when using the airport.

He told airport-world.com: "Pier 1 has been in service since 1962, so the commencement of demolition works is a significant milestone in Gatwick's on-going transformation.

"The new pier and baggage project will provide passengers with a new and much-improved experience from check-in, right through to the panoramic views down the runway that can be enjoyed while waiting for a flight."

Gatwick is the world's busiest single-runway airport. It currently processes around 34 million passengers per year. However, the Pier works and other planned developments should help the airport to handle its target of 40 million passengers per year by 2020.