London Gatwick Airport reports strong 2025 performance and plans future growth

London Gatwick Airport (LGW) reported a strong operational and financial performance in 2025, driven by continued investment, network expansion and improvements in runway efficiency.

The airport’s annual financial results show revenue reached £1.13 billion, a 0.2% increase year on year. Profit for the year stood at £334.7 million, while EBITDA totalled £671.6 million. Passenger numbers reached 42.8 million during the year, representing a slight decline of 1.1% compared with 2024.

Despite the overall decrease in passengers, long haul travel recorded growth of 3.3%. Short haul passenger volumes declined by 1.9%, largely due to temporary aircraft availability issues affecting airline operations.

The airport also reported strong demand growth in several international markets. Passenger traffic increased by 22% on routes to Sub Saharan Africa, while travel to the Far East and South Asia rose by 24%. Traffic to the Middle East and Central Asia also increased significantly, growing by 17%.

Pierre Hugues Schmit, Chief Executive of London Gatwick, said the results demonstrate the airport’s continued focus on innovation, operational efficiency and passenger service.

“London Gatwick delivered a strong performance in 2025, continuing to invest and innovate while driving productivity and efficiency across the business,” Schmit said.

Operational improvements also played a major role in the airport’s performance. Record runway efficiency and airfield optimisation will allow the airport to increase maximum scheduled aircraft movements from 55 per hour in 2025 to 57 movements per hour in 2026.

These improvements were delivered through collaboration with airlines and National Air Traffic Services. The airport also became the first single runway airport in the world to introduce time based separation, increasing the number of aircraft that can safely land and depart each hour.

Alongside operational improvements, the airport is progressing with a significant investment programme aimed at supporting future growth. London Gatwick recently outlined a £1.9 billion capital investment plan that includes expanding departure lounges, developing new taxiways and implementing projects to decarbonise airport operations.

During 2025 the airport also recorded the highest number of airlines operating from the airport in a single year, with 57 carriers serving a total of 227 destinations worldwide.

New airline partnerships were secured, including an agreement with Jet2 which will operate six aircraft serving 29 destinations starting in March 2026.

Additional projects completed during the year include upgrades to departure lounges in both the North and South Terminals, installation of new generation security scanners and early construction work for the Pier 6 extension, which will deliver eight additional aircraft stands by summer 2027.

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