How a single-runway airport became a global hub for low-cost and charter travel

Countries & Cities · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Gatwick Airport is a paradox of aviation. Despite operating as a single-runway facility, it serves as a major international gateway and the primary base for easyJet. From its origins as a 1920s aerodrome to its current status as a complex multi-airline hub, Gatwick remains a vital, high-traffic engine for southern England.

Located 30 miles south of Central London in Crawley, West Sussex, Gatwick covers 1,670 acres. While it possesses two runways, they are situated only 200 metres apart, meaning the northern runway serves primarily as a taxiway and can only be used if the main runway is unavailable. Despite this physical constraint, Gatwick ranked as the UK's second-busiest airport by passenger traffic in 2024, and the tenth-busiest in Europe.

The site’s aviation history dates to the late 1920s, with commercial flights beginning in 1933. The airport was requisitioned as RAF Gatwick during the Second World War before returning to civilian use. The modern airport infrastructure, including the North and South Terminals, evolved significantly over the decades. By the 1960s and 1970s, it became a focal point for independent airlines like British United Airways and British Caledonian, which challenged the dominance of Heathrow. Following the privatization of British Airways and subsequent industry shifts, the airport transformed into a secondary hub, eventually becoming the largest base for easyJet.

Gatwick’s business model is unique among London airports, balancing full-service carriers, low-cost airlines, and charter operators. This diversity was tested by the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced significant workforce reductions and the temporary suspension of many routes. However, the airport has continued to adapt, attracting new international carriers like JetBlue to fill gaps left by previous transatlantic operators. Today, Gatwick remains a critical piece of infrastructure, managed by a consortium led by Vinci and including various international sovereign wealth and pension funds.

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