Gatwick Airport introduces protective measures against the spread of Covid-19

Hand sanitiser units, protective screens and social distancing measures have been installed throughout the airport.

The airport’s North Terminal, which was closed in March after a huge drop in flights when the pandemic first broke out, will reopen from next Monday (June 15).

The reopening coincides with the resumption of flights from easyJet - which grounded its entire fleet at the start of the pandemic.

Other flights will be operating by Wizz Air, Ryanair, Belavia, Vueling and Blue Island. Flights will operate from 6am-10pm instead of the current reduced hours of 2-10pm.

Passengers and staff will be required to wear face coverings and boarding passes will be shown via passengers’ mobile phones.

In addition to passenger guidance online – available on Gatwick’s website and passenger app – digital and physical signage advising passengers of the new health measures is displayed throughout the airport and a new film informs passengers of the new guidance and what to expect when travelling through the airport.

Individual airlines have also introduced a range of health measures.

Gatwick chief executive Stewart Wingate said: “Having remained open throughout this pandemic the wellbeing and safety of our passengers and everyone that works at the airport remains our top priority.”

He added: “We want people to understand that airports and air travel is a safe environment in this COVID-19 travelling world.

“We are pleased to be in a position to re-open the North Terminal and we look forward to welcoming back easyJet as they restart flights alongside our other airlines. The recent Government announcement regarding the 14-day quarantine period for passengers arriving into the UK is, in our opinion, already having an impact on the start of air travel recovery.

“We accept the Government’s absolute priority is the protection of public health, but we continue to push for regular, country by country reviews of quarantine regulations, based on medical evidence.”

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