London’s second airport is steadily increasing the number of its destination routes, coming close to returning to pre-pandemic levels
Passengers at London Gatwick can now fly to a choice of 50 long-haul destinations, after the airport announced it has landed a new Ethiopian Airlines service to Addis Ababa.
The airport has already welcomed new routes to key markets such as China, India, the USA and Middle East this year, and is now able to provide further opportunities for trade across Africa
The new route will operate three times per week from November 21st and will be Gatwick’s first direct flight to the Ethiopian capital since 2006. It is also the latest of several new long-haul services to start before the end of the year, with the airport now offering more than 80% of its pre-Covid long-haul routes.
London Gatwick - and the whole aviation sector – has had a particularly tough few years following the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, but the airport has recently reached a significant milestone as it continues to build back.
Following Norse Atlantic launching five new US routes from London Gatwick earlier this year, the airline is due to start operating to Miami and Boston in September, before adding Montego Bay and Bridgetown in October.
British Airways will start flying between London Gatwick and Accra, Ghana in October, following new flights to Las Vegas and Vancouver earlier this year.
Air Mauritius is also due to take off in October, with daily flights to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport.
London Gatwick’s long-haul destinations now span the USA, Canada, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
Jonathan Pollard, Chief Commercial Officer, London Gatwick said: “Returning to 50 long-haul routes is a milestone moment for London Gatwick. While we’re delighted to offer passengers such an expansive range of short-haul routes across Europe, we’re also proud to provide connections to an increasing range of destinations around the world.
“These services are vital not only for offering people across London and the South East an excellent choice of holiday locations, or for visiting family and friends, but also for supporting local and regional businesses. Whether that’s outbound trade or inbound tourism, growing London Gatwick’s long-haul network is crucial for economic opportunities across the region.
“We look forward to welcoming Ethiopian Airlines to London Gatwick. This is the latest in a number of carriers looking to operate long-haul routes from Gatwick, which further highlights the strong demand for slots at our airport.”
London Gatwick is investing in its long-term future and its planning application to bring the airport’s Northern Runway into regular use has recently been accepted for detailed examination by the Planning Inspectorate (PINS). This low-impact plan will improve resilience, reduce delays, and provide a significant boost to the national and regional economy by supporting trade, tourism and new jobs.
London Gatwick helping to tackle hygiene poverty
London Gatwick has donated more than two tonnes of toiletries and hygiene products to local communities through a partnership with charity The Crawley and Horley Hygiene Bank.
Since the partnership began earlier this year, 2.1 tonnes of toiletries have been donated. The items include unused and unopened hygiene products such as shower gels, deodorants and shampoo, which were left behind at security by passengers.
The Hygiene Bank brings communities and businesses together to tackle hygiene poverty by providing products to those who need a helping hand.
Through the partnership, The Hygiene Bank has been able to increase the number local community partners it supports by a third.
The products collected at London Gatwick support two local schools, three local food banks, one food club, Ten Little Toes baby bank and the Danny Gallivan Trust supporting homeless veterans.
Lauren McDaniel, Senior Commercial Operations Manager at London Gatwick said: “At London Gatwick, we are always looking for ways we can both reduce waste and support local communities.
“Our waste goal is to recover 100% of our operational, commercial and construction waste for beneficial use by 2030.” (Beneficial use is defined as repair, reuse, donation, recycling, composting, or converting to fuel.)
“This scheme demonstrates our ongoing commitment to meeting our goals and using resources more sustainably. We are investing in local programmes and partnerships that build better communities, enable social mobility, improve health and wellbeing and support people.”
Lorraine Tippett, volunteer and coordinator at The Crawley and Horley Hygiene Bank, said: “When money is tight, it is toiletries that disappear from the shopping basket first.
“You can imagine how your wellbeing would be affected should you not have deodorant or are unable to wash your hair or clothes. It can affect confidence and reduce time spent with friends or colleagues.
“London Gatwick makes a huge difference to the people who benefit from our donations. Items such as deodorant, shampoo and toothpaste are like gold dust for us and we are very grateful.”
