Gatwick marked its busiest-ever May today (+5.8%) by launching its new Pier 1 facility – one of largest projects the airport has ever undertaken (£186million) – which houses an entirely new baggage system for the South Terminal and state-of-the-art passenger gate rooms with views across the runway.

The new ‘operationally excellent’ facility replaces the old Pier 1 - which was originally opened by the Queen in 1958 - now also contains the airport’s first early bag store.  The bag store allows up to 2600 bags to be checked up to 18 hours before departure – an initiative that improves convenience for passengers and also reduces queues by spreading out check-in times.

Four new taxiways have also been constructed – reducing delays on the airfield – with new dual boarding facilities reducing queues at the passenger gates.  A new lounge for premium passengers sits on top of the new Pier and boasts panoramic views across the airfield.