As the facility celebrates its fifth birthday under independent ownership, a number of improvements largely aimed at North Terminal have been planned.
The terminal is being targeted as it has been earmarked to handle many of the additional passengers expected as the airport seeks to grow passenger numbers to 41 million in the next three years.
Among the improvements are £36 million set aside to create a new North Terminal check-in area, complete with the world’s largest self-service bag drop zone.
The new area will open in two phases between late 2015 and early 2016 and, once complete, will increase peak check-in capacity from 3,000 to 4,350 passengers per hour.
A new security area will open in the terminal in 2016, costing £30 million. It should halve passenger transit time before they reach the new departure lounge, which will be given a £21 million make over.
Arrivals to the North Terminal will also benefit from a £10 million refurbishment due to open in summer 2015.
A further £10 million will be spent on North Terminal’s border zone, £250 million on its lifts, escalators and technology infrastructure, £80 million reconfiguring its Pier 5 facility and £185 million on a new Pier 1.
Chief executive Stewart Wingate said the planned £1 billion comes after more than that amount has already been spent on doing up the airport since it went under independent ownership.
During that time passenger numbers have grown by more than six million, bringing the current annual total to 38.6 million.
Wingate said: “It’s been an incredible five years and this is just the start.
“Gatwick is changing for the better and the fresh £1 billion investment outlined today is a clear signal that we intend to become London’s airport of choice.
“Gatwick’s success shows what can be achieved when competition is allowed to thrive, helping standards rise and fares fall.
“It is a timely reminder ahead of next year’s airport expansion decision, when the UK must choose whether to build on the success of greater competition and a more open industry, or take a backwards step towards the monopolies of the past.
“Today marks a very happy birthday for Gatwick and with our £1 billion investment to roll out over the next few years it’s an exciting time for both the airport and our passengers. We can’t wait to get to work.”
