Cargo volumes at Gatwick Airport rose by 18.4 per cent in July and the London hub says it could handle one million tonnes annually by 2050 if it gets approval for expansion.
Gatwick handled 6,534 tonnes in July 2016, up from 5,521 tonnes in the same month last year. In 2015 Gatwick saw cargo figures fall by 17.3 per cent to 73,411 tonnes and until May, every month of 2016 had seen a year-on-year fall.
The airport, based to the South of London is making it case for a second runway, and it says if it receives approval for expansion, it could handle over one million tonnes annually by 2050 with the growth of long-haul routes providing more competition and choice.
Gatwick Airport chief executive officer, Stewart Wingate says: “Gatwick’s continued long-haul growth – +23% year-on-year – and strong cargo growth are the latest proof that competition in the London airports’ market is working.”
“Our continued success provides proof of the benefits a two runway Gatwick would deliver for Britain. Expansion of Gatwick, London’s fastest growing long-haul gateway, would show London is open for business to the World.”
Gatwick has seen long-haul traffic increase with WestJet operating 28 flights a week between Gatwick and various Canadian cities, and Cathay Pacific will be starting Hong Kong flights and British Airways will commence Cape Town services in the coming weeks.
