Gatwick Passenger Numbers Fall 4.7% as Airport Revenue Rises Above £515 Million

Passenger numbers at London Gatwick fell during the first half of 2026 as disruption linked to the conflict in the Middle East and reduced capacity from some low-cost airlines affected demand.

The UK’s second-largest airport handled 19.1 million passengers during the six months to 30 June, down 4.7% compared with the same period a year earlier.

Despite carrying fewer passengers, Gatwick reported higher revenue and underlying operating earnings.

Revenue increased by 4.8% to £515.2 million, while EBITDA rose by 5.5% to £276.5 million.

Separate financial reporting shows pre-tax profit fell to £136.5 million, compared with £166.2 million during the equivalent period last year.

Gatwick said passenger numbers had been affected by the conflict in the Middle East as well as capacity reductions from some low-cost carriers.

Long-haul travel was particularly affected, with passenger numbers on long-haul services falling by 9.2%. Short-haul traffic declined by 3.9%.

The airport nevertheless continued to expand its airline network. Seven airlines joined Gatwick during the first six months of the year, including Jet2, Air France, Condor and Eurowings.

Gatwick now serves more than 231 destinations through over 60 airlines, with Air Zimbabwe and Air Arabia subsequently joining during the second half of the year.

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Operational performance remained strong despite the fall in passenger numbers. Gatwick said 95% of passengers passed through security in five minutes or less, while the airport achieved 99% of its agreed passenger service measures.

The results arrive shortly after another major development for Gatwick: the conclusion of the legal process surrounding its Northern Runway Programme.

The Government approved plans to bring Gatwick’s existing Northern Runway into routine use in September 2025. Legal challenges continued after that decision, but the Court of Appeal rejected the remaining challenges in August 2026.

Gatwick says the end of the eight-year planning and legal process means it can now move from planning towards detailed design and delivery of the project.

The airport estimates that the Northern Runway development could eventually support 14,000 new jobs and contribute an additional £1 billion to the UK economy each year.

Separately, Gatwick is continuing a £1.9 billion capital investment programme. The £140 million western extension of Pier 6 remains scheduled for completion in early 2027.

The airport has also expanded the use of Smart Stand technology developed with easyJet and DHL to improve aircraft turnaround efficiency, while robot-assisted parking was introduced in August for passengers using mid and long-stay parking near the South Terminal.

The figures therefore paint a mixed picture for Gatwick: fewer passengers travelled through the airport during the first half of the year, but revenue and underlying earnings increased while major infrastructure investment continued.

With the Northern Runway legal process now concluded, the next phase will be particularly significant as Gatwick moves towards delivering one of the UK’s largest privately financed airport infrastructure projects.

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