Gatwick travel, news, advice and information about the Gatwick area
Britannia Hotels has added a third Gatwick hotel to its portfolio after purchasing the 130-bedroom Russ Hill Hotel from the administrators.
The Russ Hill was formerly owned by Spring Park Hotels prior to going into administration.
The hotel, which is set in 6 acres of land, will now undergo a complete refurbishment of its facilities.
Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. has announced it has won two framework contracts from Gatwick Airport Limited to provide architecture- and civil engineering-led design services at Gatwick Airport until 2013, with an option to extend for a further year.
Although the value of the contract has not been disclosed, Jacobs will provide multi-disciplinary design services, including airport master planning, civil engineering (including aircraft pavement, utilities design and highways paving), architecture, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, structural engineering, building drainage, airside planning and design, fire and life safety engineering, baggage handling systems, aeronautical ground lighting, building management systems, land surveys, security systems, construction support and commissioning.
In making the announcement, Jacobs Group Vice President Allyn Taylor stated, “We are delighted to have been the only company to be selected for both architect- and civil engineering-led framework contracts, which build on our recent experience at Gatwick Airport. We look forward to supporting Gatwick Airport Limited in achieving its objective of developing Gatwick into London’s airport of choice.”
Sun Country Airlines has announced it is to expand its summer season of flights between Gatwick and Minneapolis.
The airline will operate twice-weekly flights from 27 May to 4 September 2011 between the two destinations.
Flights depart Gatwick on Saturdays and Sundays, with return flights departing Minneapolis on Fridays and Saturdays.
Gatwick airport is now closed until at least 6am tomorrow, Friday 3 December.
Passengers are being advised not to travel to the airport and to check with their airlines about the status of their flights.
For a list of airline contact information click here: http://www.airportsinformationblog.co.uk/gatwick-airport/snow-causes-more-flight-delays-and-cancellations-where-to-find-information/
For a look at how bad Gatwick Airport is at the moment check out Sky’s report from the airport – notice there are still people arriving at the airport!
Oops, after last week gaining praise for its improvements in customer service and reduction in queuing times, it seems Gatwick is in the firing line again – this time for airport parking charges.
According to travel extras company, Essential Travel, the cost of parking at one of the airport’s long-stays car parks has increased by almost a whopping 70% since the airport was bought by GIP from BAA.
In the space of a year the cost of parking in one of the airport’s long-stay car parks has risen from £44.80 to £75.20 – a rise of 67%, ouch! And, if you arrive without pre booking, you face the more expensive fee of £76.00.
Airport parking tip:
The best option when booking Gatwick airport parking is to shop around, compare airport parking prices and book in advance – you can save up to 60% when booking in advance.
Guy Stephenson has joined Gatwick Airport’s executive management team as Commercial Director.
Mr Stephenson was formerly the Commercial Director for National Express, prior positions include director of the air transport group at investment bank, BZW, and the commercial director of Thomsonfly.
Commenting on the appointment Stewart Wingate, Gatwick Airport CEO said: “ I am delighted that Guy has joined the team as Commercial Director, overseeing airline route development and car parking.
“He joins at a very busy and exciting time as we approach the end of our first year as a stand alone airport. We have around £350 million of projects currently underway to help transform Gatwick and improve passenger experience. We also have an ambitious target to grow to more than 40 million passengers over the next decade and become London’s airport of choice. Guy’s extensive commercial experience in the airport and travel industry will be critical to helping us achieve that ambition.”
Gatwick is no longer one of the worst airports in the UK, so says an article in the London Evening Standard.
The airport, which was bought by Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) in December last year, has seen the end of “Gatwick Hell” – an airport of long queues and surly staff.
Security procedures have been speeded up with Gatwick hitting its target of reducing the time it takes to pass through security – five minutes or less for 95% of passengers, the article reports.
Peter Hall, chairman of Gatwick’s independent Passenger Advisory Group, told the Standard, GIP’s management were “a joy to work with” after four decades of BAA ownership when the airport was permanently in the shadow of Heathrow. “Gatwick’s gone from a four out of 10 to about eight and a half,” he said.
Click here for the full Evening Standard article.
Gatwick Airport Consultative Committee (GATCOM) has announced that its next meeting is to be held on Thursday 27 January 2011 at 2.00pm.
Details of the venue are yet to be revealed.
GATCOM meetings, but ot its sub-groups, are now open to the public.
Monarch is adding additional flights between Gatwick and Tenerife over the Christmas and New Year period.
The extra flights will operate on 20 December, 27 December and 03 January.
The airline is also making extra seats available on its Gatwick to Lanzarote flights over the same period.
airberlin is heading to Gatwick Airport as the airline is set to make Gatwick its second London base.
From 7 February 2011, the airline will offer flights to Hanover and Nuremberg.
The airline will offer twice-daily flights (weekdays only) to Nuremburg and once a day on Sundays. Flights to Hanover will also operate twice-daily during the week with one flight on a Saturday.
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