Gatwick airport has unveiled plans for the new year with a drive to increase passenger traffic on the cards. The airport is recovering well from the global financial crisis according to its chief executive officer. Although Gatwick suffered from decreased passenger traffic like all other airports in 2008, the final month of 2009 heralded better news.
In fact there was an increase of one and a half per cent in the number of travellers going through Gatwick airport in December 2009, when 2.1 million people used Gatwick, compared to December 2008. However this is still down overall by 5.3 per cent with 32.37 million passengers counted in 2009.
Gatwick Airport s CEO Stewart Wingate said: I m pleased to end the year with a third consecutive month of growth in passenger numbers. This demonstrates that Gatwick Airport is recovering well from the economic downturn. He added: Overall annual passenger numbers were lower than in 2008. But the newly independent Gatwick Airport is competing strongly. We aim to become the airport of choice for passengers and airlines this year and beyond.
There is news that South Korea s National Pension Service is planning to buy a £100m stake in Gatwick airport. The move is designed to increase their investment options and would amount to a 12 stake in the airport. South Korea s National Pension Service is the fifth largest pension fund in the world. It has more than $200bn worth of assets and is looking to further diversify them. Last year Gatwick airport was bought from BAA by a private equity fund which included General Electric and Credit Suisse.
Although Gatwick airport was one of the many UK airports to be affected adversely by bad weather and the threatened BA strike last Christmas, passengers who are stuck in the terminal can make the best of a bad situation. There are many deals to be found on shopping and car parking at Gatwick airport. There are many on line airport parking companies where you can pre book your airport parking for as little as £3 per day in a fully secured environment. The sooner in advance you are able to book the better the savings there are. Shopping for money at the airport is also worthwhile, but only if you order the currency online before you arrive.
Duty free shopping for expensive products can still be cheaper than ordering online and you have the added benefit of actually seeing what you are buying. Dixons is currently guaranteeing to beat its online prices at any of its airport stores including Gatwick airport. Cosmetics can also be attractively priced. Neither is it a bad deal to pay for an airport lounge. Although it costs about £13, for this price you get free internet access, food, newspapers and drinks.
In other Gatwick airport news an anti slavery charity has been targeting the airport for protests about human trafficking. Stop UK will work with the Sussex police and the UK Border Agency to raise awareness about this problem. Stop UK patron, Lord Carlile of Berriew QC, said: “The continuation of these schemes for the protection of the public and especially for vulnerable men and women remain vital.”
Author Resource:-
Robert Frishe wrote this article for http://www.carsforhireuk.co.uk. The company has a selection of cheap hire car Gatwick including hatchback, convertible, 4x4 and economy cars available to hire from Gatwick Airport. Pre-booking will save you money and guarantees the vehicle is ready for your arrival.
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