London Gatwick Airport

London Gatwick Airport (EGKK/LGW) is a major international aviation hub serving Greater London and southern England, consistently ranked as the second-busiest airport in the United Kingdom and among Europe's top ten by total passenger throughput, distinguished by its dual-runway configuration and substantial infrastructure supporting both scheduled and charter operations.

EGKK is located approximately 30 miles south of central London near Crawley in West Sussex, positioning it as a primary gateway for both business and leisure travel to the capital and the wider southeast region. The airport's elevation of 202 feet and flat terrain present no significant hot-and-high operating constraints for business-jet operations. Weather patterns are typical of southern England; winter operations may occasionally encounter fog or icing conditions, while summer operations are generally straightforward. Pilots should be aware that EGKK operates under busy controlled airspace with substantial scheduled traffic, and slot-based scheduling is in effect for many operation types.

The airport's dual-runway layout accommodates a full range of jet sizes from light twins through large cabin-class and ultra-long-range aircraft. Gatwick's infrastructure, FBO facilities, and maintenance capabilities support both owner-flown operations and commercial charter activity. The airport functions primarily as a scheduled-airline hub, with a secondary role supporting executive and charter flights. Fractional and charter operators use EGKK as a London entry point, particularly for transatlantic and continental European service.

The airport's position in the Greater London aviation ecosystem means it often serves as an alternative to the busier Heathrow (EGLL) and as a primary choice for operators seeking scheduled airline connectivity alongside charter flexibility. Planning considerations should account for slot availability during peak hours and the requirement for advance coordination with ground handlers. Crews operating into EGKK can expect professional ground infrastructure, but should anticipate congested airspace and standard commercial airport procedures typical of a top-tier European transportation hub.

London Gatwick Airport is one of several international airports serving Greater London and southern England. It is located near Crawley, in West Sussex, England. In 2024, Gatwick was the second-busiest airport by total passenger traffic in the UK, after Heathrow, and was the tenth-busiest in Europe by total passenger traffic. It covers a total area of 674 hectares.