Gatwick Bounces Back Big in 2022 With £196.5m Profit
London Gatwick Airport is flying high again. Passenger numbers soared to 32.8 million in 2022, hitting 70.4% of pre-pandemic levels. Revenue rocketed to £776.6 million, driving the airport to a hefty £196.5 million profit after racking up over £830 million losses in 2020 and 2021. EBITDA came in strong at £446.3 million.
Going Green: Gatwick’s Race to Net Zero by 2030
Gatwick isn’t just picking up the pace financially — it’s sprinting towards sustainability. The airport moved its net zero target up by a decade, aiming to cut Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions to zero by 2030. This aligns with VINCI Airports’ plan for all EU airports to go green by 2030 and GIP’s drive for decarbonisation.
The strategy includes pumping over £250 million into greener tech: switching to electric vehicles, replacing gas boilers, scrapping harmful refrigerants, slashing energy use, pushing solar power, and sourcing renewable electricity through Power Purchase Agreements.
Big Upgrades and Route Revival
Last year Gatwick resurfaced its main runway, boosting resilience and cutting carbon footprint during construction. More improvements are on the way, with a redeveloped train station due this year and plans underway to upgrade the North Terminal’s international departure lounge. Plus, a planning application is progressing to bring the Northern Runway into regular use.
Routes Rebound – Short Haul Leads Recovery
The short haul network came back strong, serving 156 destinations with easyJet flying 72% of routes. Short haul flights reached 92% of pre-pandemic levels. Long haul is also making a comeback with 47 routes (76% of pre-Covid service).
New long haul routes are blasting off soon: Air India launches four fresh destinations this month, Delta Air Lines returns with a fourth daily New York flight from April, while JetBlue, British Airways, and Norse Atlantic Airways add new routes to North America and the Caribbean.
Cautious Optimism Amid Economic Woes
Despite the strong rebound and return to profit, Gatwick is keeping one eye on the sky amid economic uncertainty and inflation pressures. The airport remains cautiously hopeful for a full recovery.
CEO Stewart Wingate’s Take
“Central to this is our commitment for our business to be net zero for scope 1 and 2 by 2030. The aviation industry is addressing the challenges, and we are working closely with our stakeholders to ensure we create a sustainable airport for the future.”
