Changes to Gatwick airport parking transfer times

Gatwick Airport has changed their transfer timings for some of their airport parking products.

Products and new timings are as follows:

Long Stay South & Long Stay Supersaver South
Transfers run 24 hours a day every 7-10 minutes taking 2 minutes to the terminal.

Long Stay North & Long Stay Supersaver North
Transfers run 24 hours a day every 7-10 minutes taking 3 minutes to the terminal.

Long Stay Plus South & Long Stay Plus Supersaver South
Transfers run 24 hours a day every 7-10 minutes taking 2 minutes to the terminal.

Summer Special South & Summer Special Supersaver South
Transfers run 24 hours a day every 20 minutes taking 4 minutes to the terminal.

Summer Special North & Summer Special Supersaver North
Transfers run 24 hours a day every 20 minutes taking 4 minutes to the terminal.

Gatwick Airport seeks feedback through Twitter

The latest buzzword in social media has to be Twitter – the microblogging site that allows you to post micro-messages of 140 characters or less and communicate with just about anyone.

At first glance, Twitter can seem confusing and, initially, lots of people just don’t ‘get it’, but once you do it’s a great communication medium, use it for listening, following breaking news, or even better, communicating with others and getting instant feedback.

A lot of companies are seeking to integrate social media into their communications with customers, and yesterday London Gatwick Airport announced it is actively inviting passengers to give them feedback on Twitter by placing physical prompts around the airport.

As part of a pilot programme, information screens will, from this week, carry messages, suggesting how comments can be fed back to the airport via the micro-blogging platform.

This is the first stage of a programme that integrates the airport’s social media and customer service operations, and which will ultimately see Twitter being used as a feedback tool round the clock.

The monitors, which are located in the check-in areas, will periodically display the following message – ’Are you on Twitter? Get in touch with us @gatwick_airport and let us know about your experience at Gatwick today’.

Gatwick recently announced the launch of its new brand identity and its £1 billion investment programme which is set to deliver new, modern facilities at every step of the passenger journey through Gatwick. According to the head of airport communications, Samantha Holgate, “A large part of our rebranding and investment programme involves us providing our passengers with a more human and personal experience than what they might expect from an airport that sees 33 million passengers flying out to over 200 destinations every year.

“As a result, we are using online social tools as a way of talking and responding to customers as they pass through our doors.

“We do already respond to comments via our Twitter feed, however this now takes it one step further by actually integrating social media into the physical space of the airport. We’re running this as an initial pilot to gauge interest and to allow us to make the necessary changes to our customer service response and information programme.

“Over the next few months, we aim to use social media as 24 hour response tool, so for instance no matter what time of the day or night, if a passenger is at check in and has a comment to make, we will be able to capture that comment and where appropriate action it there and then”.

Lift off for Gatwick Airport’s new inter-terminal shuttle

Last Thursday, 1 July, Gatwick Airport hosted an official ‘handover’ event to mark the completion of the new inter-terminal shuttle – the first major milestone in its £1 billion development programme.

The original inter-terminal shuttle at Gatwick was installed more than 20 years ago and was removed from service in September last year having completed more than two and half million miles.

At a cost of £43 million, the project included the installation of a completely new shuttle system, new shuttle cars, refurbishment of the rubber track and transformation of the terminal stations. The new shuttle will speed up the passengers’ journey, taking just under three minutes to travel between terminals. Further benefits also include: extra seating; live journey information; greater security with monitored onboard CCTV cameras and full access for passengers with reduced mobility.

Gatwick’s Director of Capital Projects, Ray Melee confirmed its £1 billion investment programme is a top priority for Gatwick.

“Delivering this significant project two months early, is a reflection of how well the Gatwick team and our construction partners worked together to make sure our passengers can enjoy a great experience at the airport this summer.

“Airports are complex environments to work in, the shuttle had to meet the challenges of maintaining the highest level of safety at all times, while also minimising disruption to our passengers journeys through Gatwick – I’m proud of what we have achieved,” added Ray.

Costain Infrastructure Managing Director, Darren James said, “Costain is delighted to be handing over the inter-terminal shuttle and station as part of its North Terminal Interchange project.

“This is a complex project, that involved us working without impacting on a fully operational airport and included the erection of 900 tonnes of structural steel and 5,000m2 of an inflatable roof. In addition ten lifts, two escalators and two 75 metre inclined conveyors.” added Darren.

Stewart Wingate, CEO of Gatwick Airport, said: “This is an important milestone as we compete to make Gatwick, London’s airport of choice for passengers and airlines. It is a testament to the hard work and skill of the teams involved that the new inter-terminal shuttle will be up and running for passengers, two months ahead of schedule and in time for the busy summer period ahead.

“It’s by investing in new facilities that Gatwick will go from strength to strength.”