Following a very successful 15 years as Chief Executive of London Gatwick, Stewart Wingate has been appointed as managing director, UK Airports, a newly created role by VINCI Airports and Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP).
Pierre-Hugues Schmit, currently Chief Commercial and Operational Officer at VINCI Airports and a non-executive director on the London Gatwick Board, will succeed Stewart as Chief Executive of London Gatwick.
Both appointments are effective 1 September 2025 with Pierre-Hugues and Stewart working together over the next few months to ensure a smooth transition.
Nicolas Notebaert, CEO of VINCI Concessions and president of VINCI Airports and Michael McGhee, deputy chairman of Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) said: “Stewart is one of the most experienced aviation executives in Europe and on behalf of the Board we would like to thank him for his outstanding contribution to London Gatwick. During his tenure, passenger numbers have climbed from 30 million in 2009 to more than 43 million, fuelled by significant growth in long-haul routes and strong airline relationships. He has also overseen major transformations in areas including runway and airfield operations and security and embedded sustainability at the heart of airport operations. His broad expertise and strong track record make him an ideal choice for the newly created role of Managing Director for the UK as we look to maximise the opportunities across our UK portfolio.
“We would also like to thank Pierre-Hugues Schmit for his significant contribution to the development and performance of VINCI Airports as Chief Commercial and Operations Officer for the past seven years. Thanks to his extensive experience in the aviation sector and as a Board member for London Gatwick, Pierre-Hugues is well-placed to deliver on the significant growth opportunities that lie ahead for London Gatwick. We wish both of them much success in their new roles.“
Stewart Wingate, out-going CEO, London Gatwick said: “It’s been a privilege to lead the London Gatwick team for over 15 years through a number of very exciting projects such as the seven-year planning process to bring our Northern Runway into routine use and more challenging periods such as the Covid pandemic. I have also been fortunate to have had the opportunity to engage with a broad range of local stakeholders as we have shaped and delivered our plans.
“The airport is in a strong financial and operational position with more airlines than ever before serving our passengers. I am delighted to be handing over to Pierre Hugues and look forward to continuing to be involved with London Gatwick and working with the teams from Edinburgh and Belfast in my new role.”
Schmit said: “London Gatwick plays a vital role in the UK, by providing seamless access to both global and domestic markets and delivering substantial trade and economic benefits in the South-East and beyond. I’m excited to be joining London Gatwick as Chief Executive to lead the airport through the next stage of its growth journey.”
LGW and cargo
London Gatwick Airport has historically played a limited role in airfreight, primarily handling cargo in the belly holds of passenger aircraft rather than through dedicated freighter services. This approach has constrained its freight capacity compared to larger hubs like Heathrow.
In recent years, Gatwick has experienced a resurgence in passenger traffic, nearing its pre-pandemic peak of 46.5 million travelers in 2019. This growth indirectly benefits air freight, as increased passenger flights provide more opportunities for belly-hold cargo transport. However, the airport’s freight operations remain modest, with no dedicated cargo terminals or significant freighter activity.
Looking ahead, Gatwick’s expansion plans could influence its freight capabilities. The airport has proposed bringing its standby northern runway into regular use, aiming to increase capacity to handle up to 75 million passengers annually by the late 2030s. This £2.2 billion project, pending final approval, focuses on enhancing passenger services but may also create additional opportunities for belly-hold cargo.
Despite these developments, Gatwick is unlikely to become a major air freight hub in the near future. Its freight operations will probably continue to rely on passenger aircraft capacity, with limited scope for dedicated cargo services. The airport’s primary focus remains on passenger traffic, and any growth in freight activity will likely be a secondary benefit of increased flight operations.
