GATWICK

[Fairdealfrank]

Quote: "Lgw has been very successful recently at attracting new airlines and it seems Agean might be coming as well.

My question, will Lgw be increasingly successful at attracting "full service" carriers as they are not able to get into Lhr? As more new carriers arrive, will this encourage more new carriers and Lgw as a result see more business pax? Will it see more connecting pax?"

LGW is attracting full service carriers, it always has but on a small scale. Many of the longhaul carriers at LGW are using as a stepping stone to LHR. The most recent example is WY and doubtless VN and KE will eventually make the journey to LHR-4 and join their Skyteam "colleagues".

LGW is unlikely to see a huge increase in connecting pax, although both BA and VS have a mini-hub there (and are still there purely because of lack of capacity at LHR), and U2 also have a huge base at LGW, however, most traffic will remain point-to-point.

"I have to say, I really dislike the way some see Lgw as nothing more than a bucket and spade airport. I use it for business a lot. I find it hard to believe that if a carrier wants to serve London, they will not bother unless that can use Lhr."

LGW is more than just a bucket and spade airport. Of all the London airport it alone is a hybrid: like LHR it has longhaul flights; like LHR and LCY it has business/leisure clientele; like STN and LTN it has no frills carriers and holiday charter companies.

"Is Lgw on the verge of a change and more success?"

LGW is a successful and important part of the UK's aviation infrastructure, but will always play second fiddle to LHR. It is pretty full and needs expansion, just like LHR.