On Saturday, March 22, 2025, London Gatwick Airport continued its operations smoothly despite the closure of nearby Heathrow Airport due to a major fire at an electrical substation. The fire, which has closed Heathrow for the entire day, has led to an influx of passengers redirected to Gatwick, allowing it to showcase its resiliency.
In addition to maintaining a steady flow of flights, Gatwick has recently announced various expansions and new routes to enhance its connectivity. Notably, Norwegian has launched a new route to Western Denmark, then offering children from the UK a generous perk of free entry to the Legoland resort located there. As families plan their getaways for the upcoming months, this promotion is expected to entice many.
Meanwhile, Wizz Air UK has announced yet another exciting new route from Gatwick to Wrocław, Poland, with flights scheduled four times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. This route emphasizes Gatwick’s effort to cater to both business and leisure travelers with diverse destinations.
In a significant development for the airport, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has expressed that she is ‘minded to approve’ the plans for a second runway at Gatwick, contingent upon implementing measures that will alleviate noise for the surrounding communities. This approval has been long-awaited and could significantly enhance Gatwick’s capacity and service levels.
Additionally, Norse Atlantic Airways has introduced a new direct route between London Gatwick and the vibrant city of Bangkok, with service slated to begin on Sunday, October 26, 2025. As travel to Asia becomes increasingly popular, this new offering comes at a pivotal time.
On the day of the fire at Heathrow, Gatwick reported cancellations and delays for a few flights. Notably:
- British Airways flight BA8645 to Lyon was cancelled at 10:20 AM.
- Eastern Airways T3457 to Newquay was cancelled at 2:15 PM.
- Jet2 flight LS2296 to Lyon was cancelled at 4:50 PM.
- Jet2’s LS2295 to Lyon was listed as ‘enquire airline’ for 1 PM.
- TUI flight TOM4668 to Fuerteventura was delayed from 1:30 PM to 1:55 PM.
- easyJet flight EZY8109 to Alicante was delayed from 2:20 PM to 2:50 PM.
- TUI flight TOM4674 to Innsbruck was delayed from 2:30 PM to 2:50 PM.
- Eastern Airways flight T3458 to Newquay was also listed as ‘enquire airline’ for its 3 PM departure.
- easyJet flight EZY8183 to Athens was delayed from 3:30 PM to 4:00 PM.
- easyJet flight EZY8111 to Alicante faced a delay from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM.
- easyJet flight EZY8641 to Munich was delayed from 4:45 PM to 5:30 PM.
- Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2108 to Baku was listed as ‘enquire airline’ for its 9:50 PM departure.
Despite the minor disruptions, Gatwick retained its operational standard and actively engaged in enhancing passenger experience. The airport has recently made significant strides in sustainability efforts and is proud to announce that it is the first UK airport to receive Airports Council International’s (ACI) Level 1 Accessibility Enhancement Accreditation. This milestone recognizes Gatwick’s dedication to providing accessible services through various strategies and initiatives.
Furthermore, Gatwick’s interim results demonstrated a robust 7.7 percent increase in passenger numbers and reported revenues amounting to £488 million, signaling a positive trajectory for the years ahead as the airport recovers from the impacts of the pandemic.
In a keen effort to reduce its environmental footprint, Gatwick has cut carbon emissions from its diesel vehicles by an impressive 90% by transitioning to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), a sustainable biofuel. This switch is projected to save more than 950 tonnes of carbon emissions each year, showcasing Gatwick’s commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation.
As Gatwick continues its path forward, the support from leaders such as Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who expressed her backing for airport expansion, will be instrumental in fostering growth and resilience in the aviation industry.
In summary, London Gatwick Airport has demonstrated operational effectiveness during a stressful situation and is poised for exciting new developments as it expands its services and sustainability initiatives in the face of both challenges and opportunities.
