UK Airport Hotels - Manchester, Heathrow, Gatwick and More
You plan the journey, we provide the rest !
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UK Airport Hotels - Manchester, Heathrow, Gatwick and More |
You plan the journey, we provide the rest ! |
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Aberdeen Airport Hotels |
Gatwick Airport is the busiest single runway airport in the world, the second largest airport in the UK and the sixth busiest airport in the world. The origins of Gatwick can be traced back to 1241, when Richard de Warwick assigned his rights to four aces of meadow and 18 acres of land to John de Gatwick and his heirs. Par of the land later became known as the Manor of Gatwick and remained in the de Gatwick family until the 14th century when it then passed through various different families. In 1890 Gatwick was purchased by the Gatwick Race Course Company. A fully functional race course opened in 1891 complete with it's own rail station. During the First World War, the Aintree Grand National was cancelled and a replacement race was held at Gatwick in 1916, 1917 and 1918. Gatwick Airport began life in 1930 as a small flying club (Surrey Aero Club) when the owner, Ronald Walters, obtained his first flying licence for £1 1s. By 1931 an increasing number of jockeys and racegoers were arriving by air for meetings at the adjacent racecourse. In 1933, Morris Jackaman bought Gatwick for £13,500 and in 1934 formed Airports Limited and the Air Ministry issued Gatwick with its first public licence allowing the airport to be used by commercial aircraft. During the Second World War, the airport was requisitioned by the Air Ministry for use by the RAF, its area was later extended by further requisitioning to include part of Gatwick Racecourse. After the war Gatwick was retained under requisition to be operated by the Ministry of Civil Aviation for civil use. In 1952 approval was given by the Govenment to build Gatwick as an alternative to Heathrow Airport and in 1956 the airport closed to begin work on the new London airport. At a cost of £7.8 million, work took just under three years and on 9th June 1958 Her Majesty The Queen officially opened Gatwick Airport. Over the following years there have been many innovative improvements to the airport (Gatwick was the first airport in the world to combine air, rail and road transport in a close-knit single unit) to cope with the increasing demands placed on it. In 1994 the new North Terminal international departures lounge andthe first stage of the South Terminal international departures lounge were opened. The total cost of this development was £30 million. In 2000 a £29.5 million extension to the South Terminal lounge and a £35 million extension to the North Terminal lounge in 2001 offers passengers more seating availibility and a wider choice of shops and catering facilities. Number of terminals: 2 (North and South) |
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