Gatwick Airport’s cargo figures continue to grow as tonnage is being driven by long-haul routes being added.
In February, the airport handled 8,183 tonnes, a significant 37.2 per cent increase on the same month in 2017. On a moving annual 12 month basis, cargo is up 27.7 per cent to 101,052 tonnes.
More long-haul routes are being added and this week Qatar Airways announced plans to start a double-daily route in May from Doha, which will add further capacity and is set to boost tonnage.
Norwegian will also start new routes to Austin and Chicago this March – adding to their new Buenos Aires service which launched in February.
Asian long-haul routes to Tianjin and Hong Kong are proving a success along with transatlantic connections by Norwegian to Fort Lauderdale, Oakland, San Francisco and New York.
Gatwick Airport chief executive officer, Stewart Wingate said Gatwick is a “vital piece of UK infrastructure providing global connectivity at a time when the country needs it most”.
He adds: “We have exciting plans for growth maximising the use of our existing facilities whilst we also offer the country the prospect of a financeable and deliverable new runway scheme.”
