Cargo at Gatwick Airport has continued its double-digit growth in May with volumes increasing 18.9 per cent to 7,585 tonnes.

The May figures were driven by increasing long-haul services with belly capacity in passenger aircraft, pushing the figure up from 6,378 tonnes in 2016.

On a moving annual total, Gatwick handled 83,873 tonnes between June 2016 and May 2017, a 20.5 per cent increase on the previous 12 months when it handled 69,616 tonnes, though still down on the June 2014 to May 2015 figure when it processed 85,732 tonnes.

Gatwick Airport chief executive officer, Stewart Wingate says: “The airport’s long haul network has grown significantly and the results benefit both leisure passengers and also the country as global trade becomes increasingly important for the UK economy.”

He says this further strengthens the case for a second runway, saying: “With this in mind, Gatwick stands ready to build a credible and deliverable new runway should the Government give us the green light to proceed.”

Gatwick has welcomed new services including three RwandAir flights a week to Kigali from 26 May and Air Canada Rouge launching three flights a week to Vancouver starting on 8 June and ending on 8 October.

Norwegian is to expand its long-haul network with Gatwick – Singapore flights in September and services to Seattle and Denver in the same month.