Gatwick Airport is becoming increasingly popular with business travellers and people jetting away for their holiday, new figures show.

The airport said it saw around three million passengers last month, an increase of 2% compared to the same month last year. The rise comes despite the fact that school holidays were shifted into June this year to fall in line with the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

Gatwick also reported a rise in average load factors to 79.5% in May, an improvement of 2.1% compared with May 2011.

Nick Dunn, chief financial officer at Gatwick Airport, said: “It is encouraging to report a 2% growth in passenger numbers during May despite the move of a busy school-half term and May Bank holiday to June.

“Despite the continuing economic headwinds, business and leisure passengers are taking advantage of low-cost travel to many destinations in Europe and the new long-haul services operating from Gatwick.

“We have also seen competition amongst airports working with Atlantic Airways switching its London service to the Faroe Islands from Stansted to Gatwick during May.

“We continue to invest around £20 million a month in the airport to create a modern, welcoming airport with minimal queue-times and excellent customer service. This is now paying dividends with airlines and passenger choosing to fly from Gatwick.”

Copyright Press Association 2012

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