London Gatwick has finally reopened its second terminal as the airport sees a significant increase in flights for the summer 2022 season.
The airport has been solely using the North Terminal for 21 months due to low passenger numbers during the Covid-19 pandemic, but the South Terminal went back into operation on Sunday (27 March).
Gatwick said the number of flights has now increased from around 300 per day last week to 570 daily services as airlines introduce their summer schedules.
Several carriers including British Airways, Wizz Air, Vueling, Ryanair, Aer Lingus and Norwegian are moving their operations to the South Terminal. Gatwick’s largest airline easyJet will also operate from both terminals.
Stewart Wingate, Gatwick’s CEO, said: “A lot of work has gone into preparing our South Terminal, and I would like to thank everybody involved as their combined efforts mean that we are effectively opening a medium-sized airport overnight, which is no small task.
“After a difficult two years, we know there is significant pent-up demand for international travel, so I advise passengers to book early to make sure they secure the flights they want this summer.
“Reopening our South Terminal and the increase in the choice of flights our airlines are offering is also great news for our local communities, particularly people and their families who rely on the airport for their livelihood, and also the large number of support and supply businesses that depend on a successful airport.”
Gatwick is also seeing the return of more long-haul routes with more than 30 destinations served this summer, including Bangkok, Quebec City and Islamabad.