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Border Agency strike could cause significant delays at Gatwick

November 29, 2011 By Paula Leave a Comment

Public sector unions will take industrial action tomorrow in protest against pension reforms and significant delays are expected at Gatwick Airport when Border Agency staff join the strike action.

Discussions between the airport and its airlines have taken place in a bid to ease disruption caused by the industrial action. Some airlines have also taken measures to offer passengers the option of rebooking their flights to reduce passenger numbers disruption.

Airlines offering rebookings include: British Airways, Virgin and Flybe (for international passengers with connecting flights).

Gatwick has drafted in hundreds of volunteers to provide support and assistence and Gatwick Police has said it will be supporting the airport.

Scott Stanley, Gatwick Airport’s Chief Operating Officer said: “Gatwick continues to work closely with the UK Border Agency and its airlines to ensure robust contingency measures are put in place to ensure disruption to passengers and airport operations is kept to a minimum.

”We have had face to face meetings with our major airline carriers to discuss contingency plans for the day and have called on them to offer their arriving passengers the opportunity, where possible, to rebook their flights either in the days immediately before or after the 30th November. We would advise passengers to check with their airline to find out what plans and arrangements have been put in place.”

“We recognise that this will be a challenging time for all airport passengers, and we would warn passengers to be prepared for the potential for significant disruption at the border zones on the 30th November.

“Unfortunately, airport staff can not man the desks at the Border Zone but we will provide all necessary assistance to the Border Agency and we are determined to make sure that the needs and welfare of all our passengers will be met on the day.”

Tips to help avoid delays:

  • Use e-Passport gates where available
  • Have travel documents, including passports, ready
  • Fully complete landing cards
  • Stay in family groups.
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Border Agency Staff Strike 29 – 30 June

June 29, 2011 By Paula 2 Comments

Air passengers flying into Gatwick Airport may be affected by a 24-hour strike by UK Border Agency staff.

The strike starts this evening, 29 June 2011, and could cause delays at passport control

The Border Agency is advising passengers arriving into the country to have their travel documents, including passports available and taken out of any wallets or to use e-Passport gates.

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Overnight closure of M23 Junction 9 to affect travel to Gatwick

March 22, 2010 By Paula Leave a Comment

Watch out for overnight closures of Junction 9 of the M23 this week.

From Monday 22 March for one week, Junction 9 of the M23 will be closed between 8pm and 6am.

A fully-signed diversion will be in operation, taking in junction 10 of the M23, west to the Tushmore roundabout on the A2011 Crawley Avenue, then north along the A23 London Road through Lowfield Heath to the Longbridge roundabout at Horley, where road users needing Gatwick can turn around to come back along London Road and join Airport Way.

For more information check the Highways Agency website here: www.highways.gov.uk/news/pressrelease.aspx?pressreleaseid=411370

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Gatwick Airport issues advice for passengers travelling this weekend

February 11, 2010 By Paula 1 Comment

With around 400,000 passengers expected to flock to Gatwick Airport in search of a welcome half-term break, the airport has issued the following advice to help passengers avoid delays when passing through security:

  • Plan your journey to the airport and arrive at least two hours before your flight departs.
  • Check with your airline on restrictions that apply to both hand and checked-in baggage.
  • Liquids in hand baggage must be in individual containers no greater that 100ml capacity and placed in a transparent re-sealable bag, no larger than 20 cm x 20 cm (8” x 8”) in size.
  • Hand baggage: In many cases passengers can take more than one item of hand baggage per person through security providing any bag has maximum dimensions of 56 cm x 45 cm x 25 cm (22” x 17.7” x 10”). However, some airlines continue to permit only one bag and passengers are advised to check their airline’s baggage policy.
  • Pack all sharp objects, such as knives and scissors in baggage you’re checking-in. They must not be carried in hand luggage.
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Christmas travel advice for passengers travelling from Gatwick

November 27, 2009 By Paula 2 Comments

If you are planning to fly from Gatwick this Christmas make sure you are aware of the restrictions for carrying items in both hand and checked-in luggage.

Checking luggage restrictions is particularly important if you plan to carry Christmas presents onboard an aircraft, as you need to make sure that you are aware of what is and what isn’t permitted to avoid having items confiscated at security.

If you are carrying wrapped presents, they must be carried within your checked-in luggage. Any presents carried within your hand baggage must not be wrapped as they are subject to checks at security and may be unwrapped.

Most travellers should now be familiar with the liquids in hand luggage restrictions, after all, they were introduced three years ago! Don’t forget that the liquids in hand luggage rules also apply to Christmas presents, so if you are carrying a present, be it a bottle of champagne, perfume, or even a jar of jam, if it’s over 100ml it must be in your checked-in luggage otherwise it will be confiscated at security. Liquids include perfumes, pastes, gels, jams, preserves, lotions, lip sticks and mascara.

While it is permitted to carry Christmas presents within your hand luggage they must still adhere to the security rules of hand luggage items – no sharp objects, corkscrews etc. Check the weight restrictions of your hand luggage and make sure the size of your bag is the within the size permitted by your airline’s cabin baggage policy – you don’t need the added expense of having to check your bag in to the hold because it is too heavily laden with Christmas presents, or too large.

Seasonal items:

Christmas Crackers
Gatwick Airport does not permit the carriage of Christmas Crackers or party poppers.

Some airports may permit Christmas crackers in checked-in luggage, but not in hand-luggage – crackers may contain restricted items so, where permitted, must be packed in checked-in baggage, and must be factory produced in unopened boxes.

Party Poppers
Party poppers are not permitted in either hand baggage or checked-in luggage. While they may seem to just be a bit of fun, they are an explosive device and are not permitted to be carried at all.

Other items

If you are carrying Lithium batteries, these can pose a fire risk if not wrapped correctly, or the item they are being transported in is accidentally activated during the flight, so be careful when packing these items.

Good that must not be taken on board an aircraft include:

  • fireworks, flares, toy gun caps
  • culinary blowtorches, camping or compressed gas cylinders
  • petrol, lighter fuel, paint, non-safety matches, firelighters

Items that can be carried include:

  • gas powered hair curlers (one per person) – the safety cover must be fitted at all times, however, refills are not permitted
  • safety matches, which must be carried on the person

If you are flying from Gatwick airport this Christmas and want to have as hassle-free journey through the airport, follow the rules, and if you have any questions about the carriage of any item check with your airline.

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