Airports have the heavy burden of being the first thing that travellers experience when they head to a new country, and as such, it’s of paramount importance that airports are kept in tip-top shape. Following being named the World’s Worst Airport, the Philippines’ Ninoy Aquino International Airport has announced that it’s finally being renovated to fit the current standards of airports all over the world. Michael Beer, Vice President of Asia Pacific Transportation and Infrastructure at Citi Equity Research, has said that “we believe Manila is at a significant disadvantage as a result of the constrained airport and failed/delayed infrastructure initiatives meant to alleviate bottlenecks…” By contrast, Hong Kong and Singapore each have world-class international airports, and these countries enjoy a steady stream of tourists and international travellers, which also mean boosts in their respective economies.
But even the airports that have, in the past, been lauded for their innovation and superior customer service have seen the importance of improving their facilities and providing a better experience to its passengers altogether. Such is the case of London’s Gatwick Airport.
According to the Gatwick Airport page on Parking4less, the airport services more than 30 million passengers a year, making it the tenth busiest airport in all of Europe. Already equipped with all the facilities you would expect from an airport of its scale, Gatwick has stopped at nothing to bring satisfaction to its customers. Earlier this year, the airport announced its plans to invest an extra £1bn on renovations. These renovations include the transformation of check-in areas, the improvement of security, and the expansion of the international departure lounge.
Among Gatwick Airport’s best features is its dedicated railway system, which brings travellers from Gatwick to various points of London. Earlier this week, it was revealed that even these trains are also seeing potential improvements, as authorities have noticed how busy the trains can get. “We need to balance the requirements of Gatwick travelers and their luggage with the fact that this is one of Britain’s busiest commuter lines,” says David Brown, CEO of Go-Ahead Group, which is poised to become Britain’s No.1 rail operator. He also added that “the procurement process is under way for the new trains that will replace the route’s existing 25-year-old fleet from 2016.”
Right now, Gatwick airport stands at an exciting time. Already having been lauded as Airport of the Year at the 2013 National Transport Awards and having received the Exceptional Customer Service award from the British Parking Awards of 2013, Gatwick is showing no signs of stopping. It’s truly one airport that you need to watch out for, and one that you should try to fly out to should you ever be heading to London.
