Gatwick finally reopens South Terminal after two years – here’s what it means for holidaymakers

GATWICK Airport has reopened its South Terminal after nearly two years.

The airport closed the terminal back in June 2020 and operated all flights from the North Terminal due to the pandemic which saw passengers plummet.

However, the airport reopened to passengers yesterday and has predicted traveller numbers would return to normal by summer.

Chief executive Stewart Wingate sounded an optimistic note as daily flight numbers leapt from 300 to 570.

He said: "We're going to ramp up very, very quickly over the next two or three weeks.

"We'll be busy throughout the summer period and very close to the 2019 volume levels."

He added: “A lot of work has gone into preparing our South Terminal, and I would like to thank everybody involved as their combined efforts mean that today we are effectively opening a medium-sized airport overnight, which is no small task.

“We’re now ready and excited to welcome passengers back in large numbers, and our restaurants, shops, cafes and bars are also looking forward to serving passengers again before they jet off on holiday, to visit friends and family or take that vital business trip."

The shops, cafes and other facilities have also undergone months of renovations and updates ahead of the opening.

British Airways, Wizz Air and Vueling are among airlines switching operations from the North to the refurbished South Terminal this week.

EasyJet will fly 120 routes from both terminals at the airport, while BA will operate 35 short haul Europe routes, along with Wizz Air's 25 routes and Vueling 16 routes.

Mr Wingate added: "It's pent-up demand.

"People who haven't been able to travel now really want to travel."

British Airways is to launch their new low-cost subsidiary from the South Terminal tomorrow, which will become BA Euroflyer.

Routes will include popular British tourist destinations, such as Faro, Ibiza, Malaga, Marrakech and Tenerife, with tickets from £39 each way.

And Wizz Air recently announced 18 new routes to operate from Gatwick Airport this summer.

Flights include Majorca, Rome and Venice, with some flights starting from as little as £8.99 if booked today.