New long-haul routes drive Gatwick's tonnage growth

New long-haul routes drive Gatwick’s tonnage growth

November 10, 2017

London Gatwick Airport’s cargo tonnage soared 32.1 per cent in October compared to the same month last year as recorded its busiest ever October.

Long-haul route growth fuel the cargo tonnage and the gateway says it is down to the continually increasing global connectivity at the airport with 22 new long-haul routes added in the last 12 months including Cape Town, Kigali, Singapore, Hong Kong, Chicago, Austin, Denver and Seattle.

In October, the airport handled 10,316 tonnes, up on the 7,807 tonnes in October 2016. In the first 10 months of 2017 it has handled 92,495 tonnes, a 21.3 per cent increase on the same 10 months last year (76,247 tonnes).

Gatwick Airport chief executive officer, Stewart Wingate says: “October’s soaring cargo growth is the latest by-product of Gatwick’s ever increasing long-haul network, providing passengers with more choice of connections globally.”

James Graham

James Graham is an award-winning transport media journalist with a long background in the commercial freight sector, including commercial aviation and the aviation supply chain. He was the initial Air Cargo Week journalist and retuned later for a stint as editor. He continues his association as editor of the monthly supplements. He has reported for the newspaper from global locations as well as the UK.