Gatwick's transformation coming to life in the North Terminal
As part of the North Terminal transformation programme, Gatwick is investing £1 billion to drive growth from its existing infrastructure, while it waits for the go-ahead to build a second runway.
£36 million is being spent to create a completely new departure level which will house the World’s largest self-service bag drop zone. Phase One of this opened in October, with the second phase opening in April 2016.
During October, Gatwick moved easyJet’s whole North Terminal operation into the new space so that its passengers can use the new bag-drop technology. The installation is designed to reduce queue’s and speed passengers through the airport formalities as quickly as possible.
The time-lapse footage shows the construction of the new space as well as the complex arrival and installation of a brand new escalator which can also be seen complete, being used by passengers once they have checked their bags in, and are ready to go upstairs and through security to the departure lounge.
Gatwick CEO Stewart Wingate said: “Gatwick is about to reach the 40 million passenger mark - this is a decade ahead of industry predictions and we continue to grow.
“Our investment, growth, and success have been spurred on by competition in the airports market brought when we came into private ownership in 2009. A decision to expand Gatwick means the benefits of competition will spread even further and we will not return to the bad old days of monopoly.
“While we wait for a Government decision on a new runway, we are investing billions to ensure we can grow from our existing infrastructure and continue to improve the passenger experience, but this will only take us so far.”
Behind the complex operations of a working terminal building, a 24/7 construction site has been underway. Major projects such as breaking through a completely new staircase linking the ground floor arrivals to the first floor transit shuttle which goes to the train station.
The installation of a completely new escalator, an investment of £1 million, and commissioned in the UK, built in China and assembled at Gatwick, have all taken place through the night. Other features include completely new flooring, 400 metres of new baggage belts, new lighting, new electrical and mechanical systems, ceilings, wayfinding, retail stores and IT infrastructure.
All this has been achieved while 150,000 passengers per day pass through Gatwick’s terminal buildings.
Other aspects of the North Terminal development programme will include:
- £30 million to create a world-leading new security area opening in North Terminal in Summer 2016 halving passenger transit times will be halved and giving Gatwick the ability to process 5,000 passengers per hour
- £21 million invested to create a world-class new departure lounge in North Terminal - more space will make room for future growth while more retail and restaurant space will offer more choice
- £10 million is being invested to fully refurbish the North Terminal’s arrival area, and is due to open in time for the peak of Summer 2016.
- £10 million to upgrade the North Terminal border zone – more space, new technologies and 15 state-of-the-art new e-gates will help lead to shorter queues for passengers
- £250 million to maintain and replace facilities including lifts, escalators and the technology infrastructure, and
- £80 million to reconfigure the Pier 5 facility and £185m to construct a state-of-the-art new Pier 1, offering new aircraft stands, gate rooms, new lounge facilities, and storage for 2,600 bags.
