Gatwick boss confronts airlines over summer chaos

THE boss of Gatwick has demanded assurances from 43 airlines including British Airways that passengers will not suffer a repeat of last summer’s travel chaos.

Stewart Wingate, chief executive of Gatwick, said he had taken personal responsibility for ensuring all airlines at the airport had sufficient staff to cope with the summer peak periods.

Gatwick was forced to restrict the number of flights last summer as it became apparent that the airport would otherwise be overwhelmed.

Mr Wingate said: “Last year, as we [approached] the Platinum Jubilee weekend it became apparent to us and the airlines that the airlines’ ground handlers didn’t have sufficient resources for the peak summer season.

‘Based on the information that airlines are providing to me, they are ready for the summer season’

As we look forward to 2023, this is an area that we are very interested in.”

Gatwick’s biggest airlines include British Airways and easyjet. Mr Wingate said: “I have worked with airlines and ground handlers to impress upon them the importance of having their crewing in place. Based on the information that they are providing to me, they are ready for the summer season.”

Gatwick is forecasting to welcome 40.5m passengers over the course of 2023, equivalent to 87pc of pre-pandemic levels. Last year, 32.8m people used the airport, returning the business to profitability. Gatwick’s forecasts are comparatively more optimistic than larger rival Heathrow. It is forecasting 67.2m passengers this year, 83pc of precovid levels.

Meanwhile, Mr Wingate ruled himself out of a move to Heathrow airport, as John Holland-kaye is to step down as chief executive later this year. Mr Wingate said: “I wouldn’t consider it. I am 100pc committed to Gatwick.”