History And Directions For Gatwick Airport
The airport now operates under the name of London Gatwick and with the increase in popularity of cheap package holidays and flights; the airport is now the second largest in London and UK, with passengers totalling over 33 million passing through the airport every year. The airport serves over 200 destinations in 90 different countries with flights available on over 60 airlines, meaning the world really is your oyster when flying from Gatwick Airport.
The first scheduled flight from Gatwick was in 1936, a circular terminal called “The Beehive” was constructed with a subway connecting it to Gatwick train station. During the war the site was used by the RAF as a base for aircraft maintenance. In 1950 the government designated that Gatwick was to be the alternative to Heathrow, and the new Gatwick airport was opened in 1958, the first in the world to have links to air, road and rail. A North Terminal was built in 1988 continuing the growth and expansion of the airport. In May 2005, the first ever bridge to span an airport taxi-way opened, connecting the North terminal to a new 11 stand pier, allowing passengers to cross over whilst a Boeing 747 passes beneath.
London Gatwick Airport is located approximately 3 miles north of Crawley town centre with access via the M23, A23 and M25. Direct rail services to London Gatwick Airport railway station take you straight to the terminal. A regular coach service is available from central London and surrounding towns and cities to the airport.
Contact Gatwick Airport:
- Telephone: +44 (0)844 335 1802
- Airport Address: Gatwick Airport, West Sussex RH6 0NP
- Twitter: Gatwick_Airport