GATWICK AIRPORT HISTORY FACTS

GATWICK HISTORY 1930

The history of Gatwick Airport is all quite recent. Gatwick Airport was formerly a strip owned by Surrey Aero Club in 1930. Gatwick Racecourse jockeys and visitors began to use the strip when attending meetings. The first commercial flights from Gatwick were in 1934.

The Beehive, Gatwick's first passenger terminal building, 1936, was revolutionary in it's circular design. Aircraft docked onto the building's side, allowing easy embarkation. In 2000 refurbished to serve as GB Airways administration head office.

GATWICK HISTORY 1950

In 1953 the Government decreed Gatwick as London's second airport. The old airport was closed for major re-development. Gatwick Airport was given the go-ahead for development as a rival to Heathrow Airport in 1952.

The whole site closed for two years and nearly £8 million later, a new 'London Airport' emerged from the former racecourse site. On June 9th 1956, the new Gatwick (LGW) was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II. London Gatwick integratied road, rail and air transport within a single, closely-knit unit.

The Gatwick facility has been further enhanced by the addition of the M23 link and the M25 enabling easy access to the city and Heathrow.

Further expansion-.

1962 - Expansion of the original terminal building and 2 additional piers constructed.

64-77 - Runway extended three times

1977 - Another pier opened.

1984 - new pier further extended.

1980 - start of the £200 million North Terminal. The Queen & Prince Philip opened this new addition to London Gatwick Airport in 1988.

1990 - a 2nd pier at the north terminal has been constructed. A new International departures lounge opened in the North Terminal and the 1st phase of the new South Terminal International Departure lounge also opened.

Concorde made its first ever commercial flight from Gatwick Airport in 1985. Gatwick departures now go to destinations from to Aberdeen to Zurich. Airlines using Gatwick run from Air 2000 to Air Zimbabwe.

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