5th January 2017
Written on 5th January 2017
London Gatwick Airport prepares to move British Airways, easyJet and Virgin Atlantic between terminals
Updated: 25 Jan 2017 @ 12:31
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Updated: 5 Jan 2017 @ 14:57
Three of Gatwick’s major carriers will move terminals this January. British Airways will move to the South Terminal, Virgin Atlantic will move to the North Terminal and easyJet, which currently operates out of both terminals, will consolidate its operation to the North Terminal.
These changes will improve the experience for passengers at Gatwick with brand new facilities including state-of-the-art technology at check-in, security and immigration, as well as new bag-drop zones along with new British Airways and Virgin Atlantic lounges. It will also simplify and streamline the journey through the airport for passengers.
The moves will be staggered over a 72 hour period, in order to ensure a seamless transition, with all three airlines operating a reduced flying programme to simplify the process. From 24th January all easyJet flights will depart from the North Terminal, while from 25th January all British Airways flights* will depart from the South Terminal and all Virgin Atlantic flights will depart from the North Terminal.
An important part of the airport’s readiness has been the undertaking of trials to test every element of the airlines’ operations from their new homes. 37 operational trials have probed every part of the journey, from check-in to issuing boarding cards, to labelling baggage, passing through security with automated boarding card readers, right through to the airfield, with stand capability, fuelling and catering all being tested. This has provided the airlines with confidence that Gatwick has everything ready for them to operate successfully.
Approximately 50,000 passengers will be travelling with the three airlines on the 277 flights that will be relocating across the 72-hours. 10,000 Gatwick-based staff and 100 properties around the campus are directly affected by the moves.
Gatwick is advising passengers to check their terminal before travelling.
* Two British Airways flights are moving before 25 January:
- From 11th January 2017, BA2273 to New York will depart from South Terminal.
- From 19th January 2017, BA2612 to Naples will also depart from South Terminal.
Source: Gatwick Airport
