I think that the work on the station may have already started.

A very informative list there- many thanks for the info! I was originally due to fly back from Hanoi to LGW via HKG with CX in a couple of weeks time, but owing to the current circumstances, the flight has been cancelled. I've now rescheduled it for 20th December- I'm just hoping that CX will still be serving LGW by then and not drop the service and consolidate at LHR. Had some excellent flights with CX on the A350 from Gatwick, and must say that LGW South is a vastly nicer experience than LHR terminal 3, so it would be such a shame if CX withdrew from Gatwick- hoping they'll be here in the long term!

Norwegian issued redundancy notices to all their ground handlers at Gatwick yesterday (Thursday).

If true, I'd imagine they plan to outsource it, like every other airline in Gatwick. I wouldn't read too much into this with regards to their intentions at Gatwick.

During normal times, ground handling is like a merry-go-round. The names on the side of equipment changes, but the personnel stay the same. As somebody who's done my time in ground handling, I can say that, unfortunately, it's one of the easiest costs to cut. The majority of ground handling personnel will be on seasonal zero hour contracts.

BA
 

Have British Airways announced when they intend to resume LGW operations?

Resume? They still haven’t decided if they’ll even continue operating out of LGW.

Is this just their Omniserve staff or absolutely everyone at Red Handling including management?

I was aware that they were originally unsure whether they would be returning, but it seems now that BA will remain at LGW in some form, as per Mr Walsh himself.

(Source: https://www.ttgmedia.com/news/news/b...don-city-22861). (article is locked to non members)

They have a slimmed down schedule of 7-12 daily flights from LGW due to start from July 1st. Subject to change of course.

Sad times 😥
 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...re_article-top

New route Air Baltic Vilnius.

Yup, the car parking area for Car Rental is gone.

China Airlines
 

Per Airline Route (https://www.routesonline.com/news/38...-in-july-2020/), CI is to reinstate flights between TPE and LHR in July, replacing LGW until late October. I can't help but think that should CI somehow get their hands on permanent slots from October onwards, chances are we won't be seeing them at LGW anymore, which would be a shame, as prior Covid 19, LGW/GIP were doing a great job at expanding their long haul route portfolio. What do you guys think? What are the chances of CI returning to LGW after a second stint at LHR?

Zero if they can remain at LHR. Always that way.

Nil - if slots become available airlines will shift to LHR.

North Terminal reopening
 

Now confirmed- North terminal to reopen next week in preparation for Easyjet's return to LGW: https://www.independent.co.uk/travel...-a9556686.html

Many of the news articles seem to suggest that other airlines, including FR, W6 and VY will be operating alongside EZY- does this more or less confirm earlier rumours that the South terminal will be closing temporarily whilst airlines are temporarily relocating to the North?

Sad, but true :( Would be a sad loss for LGW for CI to withdraw permanently- I'm just hoping that CX doesn't follow suit, as they seem to have been doing well at LGW since launch 3 years ago, and they seem to have been adopting the EK-style approach, so operating at LHR and LGW simultaneously seems to have been working for them thus far.

Sad to see China Airlines move to Heathrow and like others mention, I can't help but think they will not return if permanent slots can be obtained...

It was a great alternative route, to travel to Australia and Taipei is extremely easy to transfer through (only downside was the connection was around four hours). Even though I live north of London, with Thameslink getting to LGW is a breeze and the 9pm departure slot always made the airport easy to get through as its quite quiet then.

The A350's on the route are some of the most comfortable long haul birds flying, with a beautiful cabin layout with this bamboo effect cabin walls, extemely spacious seats in all cabins and reasonably decent service/food. You could regularly get tickets in their premium economy cabin for the price other airlines would charge for econopmy.

Warsaw 2 daily was appearing in the airport information for a few days. This would give them an extra 14 flights a day.

Ukraine International have been into LHR regularly, is this another one that might not come back?