Gatwick Airport recorded 8.2% year-on-year rise in passengers travelling to China in August.

This increase comes as Cathay Pacific have increased their service this summer from Gatwick to Hong Kong, to daily, following passenger demand. Gatwick continues to focus on developing the airport's connectivity with Asia, with flights to Taipei and Singapore also set to launch later this year.

Gatwick Airport has achieved the busiest school summer holidays in its history, as 8.1 million passengers travelled through the airport over the seven-week period. This is a 2.1% increase on 2016 and the first time Gatwick has ever reached the 8 million passengers mark during the summer break.

This August alone 4.9 million passengers travelled through Gatwick resulting in the biggest month in the airport's history, up 2.1% on 2016.

The record August was a result of Gatwick's rising long-haul traffic served by larger aircraft, with the number of passengers travelling to long-haul destinations increasing by 11.1% compared to August 2016. Gatwick's cargo, +25.6% year-on-year, also continues to benefit from the airport's long-haul growth.

Gatwick Airport CEO Stewart Wingate said:

"Our growing passenger figures on routes between Gatwick and China show that more and more passengers in China are capitalising on their new link to Britain through Gatwick.

"Gatwick offers convenience for passengers travelling from China to London and onwards to the rest of the UK as visitors can travel to London's best attractions quicker by rail than any other airport.

"Buckingham Palace, the Palace of Westminster - home of 'Big Ben' - can be reached from Gatwick in just over 30 minutes by direct train which is half the time of the next nearest London airport.

"From Gatwick, passengers can also travel by train quicker and more conveniently to Stonehenge and Hever Castle than any other UK airport with direct connections to China.

"Gatwick offers a new link to Britain for travellers from China and, with our connection to Hong Kong becoming daily this summer, we are looking forward to playing our part in providing a more convenient gateway to the UK's best visitor attractions." 

Summer holiday period 14th July - 3 September 2017 has been compared to 15 - 4 Sep 2016

Contributed by Gatwick Airport