The UK’s Gatwick Airport has announced plans to consolidate passenger processing and facilities and to limit scheduled flights.
The airport’s operations will be consolidated into the South Terminal and scheduled flights will take place only between 2:00pm and 10:00pm. The runway will remain open for emergency landings and diversions outside these hours.
The temporary closure of the North Terminal will last a minimum of one month and the situation will be kept under regular review. The decision to scale back the airport’s operations has been discussed with the airport’s airline partners and any passengers booked on flights due to depart or arrive at Gatwick during this period have been advised to contact their airline.
Chief executive Stewart Wingate said, “Gatwick is a resilient but also responsible business and during these extraordinary times we need to take unprecedented measures to protect the health and wellbeing of our staff and passengers, while also shielding the business from the impact of COVID-19.”
Wingate thanked Gatwick staff for their continuing hard work. He added, “During these extraordinary times, we have also seen remarkable acts of kindness and community spirit in support of people who may need some additional help. We will be providing opportunities so that any of our staff, who have time during this period of reduced operations, can choose to help support people in our local communities.”