Gatwick Airport queues update for Saturday, July 16

As of today (Saturday, July 16), the airport is ‘operating normally’.

Posting on Twitter, a Gatwick Airport spokesperson said: “The airport is operating normally today but we continue to advise passengers to arrive at the airport as soon as check-in opens for their flight. Typically, this is 3 hours for long-haul and 2-2 ½ for short-haul. This also includes security.”

Passengers have been sharing their Gatwick experiences on Twitter.

TJ Davis said: “Ok so my journey flying so far…hellish queues at Gatwick for hold luggage and security….if you’re traveling over the summer and if you can don’t take any! Also pay for fast track if not too expensive.”

Anthony Payne added: “Paid for tickets with BA and in a horrific queue at Gatwick. Why did I book with BA? Please tell me??”

But ‘JANEY HOWELL’ said: “Easy to complain but I forgot to commend @Gatwick_Airport @British_Airways helpful friendly efficient when I travelled economy long haul to #antigua No queues and great flight. Thanks”

And ‘choclitlover1’ added: “I’ve flown out of Gatwick twice in the last couple of months and both times the longest queue was for a cup of coffee!”

British Airways, easyJet and Wizz Air have all had flights cancelled or delayed at Gatwick today.

The airport said the airlines are responsible for their flying schedules and for handling its passengers at the airport check-in areas, departure gates and also for loading, unloading and delivering baggage back to passengers.

Airports across the country have faced huge queues following the removal of Covid travel restrictions. The pandemic is having a huge impact on airports in two ways.

In the short-term current levels of staff sickness are higher than normal but in the long term thousands of aviation professionals left the industry, taking with them everything from decades of experience to security clearance.

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The airport has announced that it will moderate its rate of growth for July and August by forcing airlines to cancel 4,000 summer flights.

Gatwick believes this action will then allow airlines to fly and manage more predictable and reliable flight programmes for the rest of the peak school summer holiday period.

The airport is also ‘temporarily moderating’ the number of summer flights from 900 flights a day to 825 in July and 850 in August, according to the BBC.

This is so ‘passengers experience a more reliable and better standard of service’, Gatwick says.

Gatwick is one of the airports which has not suffered with long queues compared to the likes of Manchester, Birmingham and Belfast.