Gatwick Airport broke the 40 million passengers a year mark for the first time last weekend and is rapidly approaching full capacity.
The Airports Commission had said the airport would take nearly ten years to hit the milestone.
Stewart Wingate, CEO, Gatwick, said: “To reach 40 million passengers a year is a tremendous achievement and sets a global benchmark for a single runway airport.
"We have grown rapidly under new ownership and the benefits of competition are clear for passengers - more choice, higher standards and lower fares."
Last week Brighton and Hove City Council gave its backing for Gatwick to be given an extra runway.
A government decision on airport expansion is expected in weeks.
Mr Wingate added: “We have reached this milestone 10 years ahead of the Airport Commission’s prediction that we would do so in 2024."
source:
The Argus