Gatwick tests new measures to cut boarding delays

NEW techniques aimed at reducing aircraft boarding delays are being tested at Gatwick Airport.

A range of methods is being trialled at the West Sussex airport to discover whether they make the boarding process faster and more relaxing.

One technique involves seating people from the back row to the front row with window seats first, followed by middle seats and then aisle seats.

Gatwick believes it is possible to reduce the time it takes to board a typical short-haul flight by up to 14 minutes.

The two-month pilot is being carried out at the North Terminal on Airbus A320 aircraft with six seats across.

Passengers who have booked priority boarding or those who require special assistance will continue to board first.

The UK’s second busiest airport will consider the impact of the methods and feedback from passengers before deciding whether to continue with the methods after the trial ends.

Analysis of Civil Aviation Authority data found that Gatwick had the fourth worst punctuality performance of major UK airports last year.

Gatwick head of enabling technologies and digital innovation Abhi Chacko said: “We want to explore whether boarding by seat number will avoid queues in the gate room and when boarding the aircraft.

“Early indications are that this new technique has the potential to reduce boarding times.

“By communicating to passengers better and boarding by seat number, we expect to make the boarding experience more relaxing and potentially prevent large numbers of passenger rushing forward at any stage.”

A spokeswoman for easyJet, the airline initially involved in the trial, said: “We continually look at different technologies and innovations which could make customer journeys easier.

“A small number of easyJet flights that use Gate 101 are taking part in the trial.

“This isn’t something we are looking to implement across our network, but we will work with Gatwick to study the results of their trial when it closes.”