PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE
GATWICK:
WORDS // JOSS SULLIVAN
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G
atwick today is the world’s busiest single
runway airport. The site takes its name
from the Old English for “goat farm” and
dates back to the 13th century.
Since then it became a top Victorian
racecourse, even hosting the Grand National
during World War I, until in the 1920s it first
opened as an aerodrome.
British Airways began life at Gatwick in the
1930s, about the same time as the original,
iconic “Beehive” terminal was built. During
the Battle of Britain, Gatwick was used as an
RAF base for night fighters.
In 1958 the original railway station reopened
as Gatwick Airport station, beginning its life
as an international hub. Queen Elizabeth II
flew in on the first “official” flight on June 9
that year.
Gatwick expanded over the years to two
terminals served by a single 3.3km-long
runway handling more than 35million
passengers each year. It is also home to
BLOC’s flagship hotel.
On 29 August 2014 Gatwick handled an
incredible world record 906 movements in a
day, with a plane taking off or landing every
63 seconds.
Plans are currently under consideration to
expand to a second runway, a development
that will maintain Gatwick as one of the
world’s great airports, offering more choice,
lower fares and an even better service.
Some journey from a mediaeval goat farm.
// 19
