Gatwick Airport is said to be eyeing its first dividend in five years on the back of a resurgence in travel demand, according to reports.
Per the Financial Times, Gatwick said it “expects” to reinstate shareholder payments this year, which would place it among the first major European airports to do so since the pandemic largely grounded flights in 2020.
This would see rewards paid out to its group of international owners, headed by French infrastructure group Vinci.
Gatwick had reported a 62% increase in post-profits to £314.8 million for the year to December on Thursday.
The airport is yet to catch up to pre-pandemic passenger figures though, with 40.9 million people passing through Gatwick last year, compared to 46.5 million in 2019.
According to Gatwick, footfall levels should return to pre-pandemic levels in 2025, with the airport currently carrying out £2.2 billion worth of investment to expand the likes of its runway in a bid to attract more long-haul carriers.