British Airways to DOUBLE Gatwick Fleet as Heathrow Feud Sparks Major Shift
BA Plans Big Expansion at London Gatwick
British Airways is gearing up to double its fleet at London Gatwick, the capital’s second-biggest airport. The airline will boost the number of aircraft based there from 14 to between 24 and 28 over the coming years. This comes after a bitter fallout with Heathrow, forcing BA to shift key operations away from Terminal 5.
“Our growth will be at Gatwick rather than Heathrow for now,” a BA insider revealed. The move marks a fresh chapter as BA looks to strengthen its foothold outside Heathrow’s shadow.
Why the Sudden Shift from Heathrow?
Relations between British Airways and Heathrow Airport have soured recently. One major bone of contention is Heathrow’s plan to hike landing fees from £30 to £42 — despite the Civil Aviation Authority pushing for a cut to £26. Heathrow claims the rise is needed to improve facilities, but BA argues it’s a cash grab benefiting shareholders at travellers’ expense.
The fallout has left a bad taste amid Heathrow’s summer travel chaos, where passenger numbers were capped and flights cancelled. With winter holiday travel on the horizon, both airports face pressure to handle soaring demand and avoid more disruption.
Gatwick Set to Soar with New Routes and Growth
Forced out of Gatwick during the Covid pandemic, British Airways is back in full force with its main operations and its EuroFlyer subsidiary.
BA may add up to 28 aircraft at Gatwick’s single runway and expand long-haul routes by summer. But with EuroFlyer’s success, the airline could also push short-haul flights, going head-to-head with easyJet — Gatwick’s current short-haul champ.
This strategic pivot could reshape London air travel, with Gatwick emerging from the wings to become a major hub.
