Gatwick Airport reported a spike in profit and revenue for the first half of 2024 as travel demand surged towards pre-pandemic levels.
Some 19.9 million passengers passed through Gatwick over the first six months of the year, up 7.7% against 2023, the airport said on Thursday.
“Peak holiday” travel continued to attract more passengers too, Gatwick said, hitting 90% of 2019 levels, before the pandemic grounded flights globally.
Chief executive Stewart Wingate said the airport was “experiencing one of [its] busiest summers yet” as a result, prompting revenue and profit to spike.
Revenue ticked up 15.3% to £488 million over the six months, while pre-tax earnings climbed 13.9% to £268 million.
Net profit, of £106 million for the half year, was up further by 33.8%, the airport added.
Gatwick noted flights by Singapore Airlines had been added over the period, alongside new routes by flag carriers to Chinese and Indian cities.
An examination phase on opening its second runway permanently is also due to end next week, with Gatwick adding this could be in routine use by the end of the decade if successful.