Gatwick Airport’s cargo figures continue to fall and the gateway saw a 17.2 per cent fall in October compared to the same month last year.
The UK airport processed 6,355 tonnes of freight, down on the 7,678 tonnes in October 2014. In the last 12 months cargo tonnage has fallen 15.2 per cent to 75,153 tonnes, down on the 88,598 tonnes in the previous 12 months.
Despite the cargo decline Gatwick continues to grow its profits and has announced a revenue rise for the first six months of 2015 until 30 September.
Revenue was up 5.2 per cent to £411.8 million, which resulted in a profit before tax of £135.2 million on a consolidated basis.
The airport’s route network continues to grow and bellyhold routes starting soon include British Airways Gatwick to Costa Rica and Gatwick to Lima (Peru), which will be the UK’s only direct route to Lima, starting 2016.
These are joined by TUI’s new route Gatwick to Costa Rica, starting November 2015, and Gatwick to Colombo, in Sri Lanka starting next year.
Gatwick chief executive officer, Stewart Wingate says the UK government should back Gatwick when making its airport expansion decision and “no ifs no buts”.
“Gatwick is the best solution, does not breach air quality legal limits – even with a second runway – requires no taxpayer funding and can be delivered quickly. A decision for Gatwick is a decision for a runway which can actually be delivered and built by 2025,” he adds.
