Here are the recent changes at Gatwick Airport that affect how you travel, from new routes and price changes to construction and security rules. This page was last updated in August 2026. It covers what has changed, not today's live status.
Checking live delays and departures today
For today's delays, cancellations and live departure boards, check the official Gatwick Airport website and your airline app, or a flight tracker such as Flightradar24. This page tracks the changes that stick, not minute-by-minute status.
Travel alerts and recent disruption
- 28 July to 1 August and 4 to 8 August 2026 Almost 1,000 ground-handling workers employed by ASC, Menzies Aviation, GGS and DHL Services were scheduled to strike over two blocks, with the airport warning of possible disruption to British Airways, Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air, TUI and WestJet flights. (source)
- 15 July 2026 A British Airways Airbus A320 became stranded on the active runway after a technical issue, forcing several arriving flights to hold or divert. (source)
- Summer 2026 easyJet warned of significant disruption at Gatwick, blaming repeated air-traffic-control staff shortages for delays and cancellations across the season. (source)
Construction / second runway
- 4 August 2026 The government confirmed the Court of Appeal had dismissed the latest legal challenge and refused campaigners permission to appeal, clearing Gatwick to proceed with its Northern Runway (second runway) project. (source)
- 23 June 2026 The High Court dismissed an earlier legal challenge to the runway approval, ahead of the Court of Appeal ruling. (source)
- 21 September 2025 Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander granted the Development Consent Order for Gatwick's £2.2bn plan to move its northern runway 12m north and bring it into routine use. This could raise capacity toward 80 million passengers a year, with first dual-runway flights expected around 2030. (source)
Parking, drop-off and fares
- 6 January 2026 Gatwick raised its drop-off charge to £10 for the first 10 minutes (up 43% from £7), making it the UK's most expensive airport for drop-offs. Overstaying costs £1 per minute. Long-stay car parks remain free for up to two hours as an alternative. (source)
New routes / airlines
- From March 2026 Jet2 expanded its Gatwick base to 6 based aircraft serving 29 destinations, growing the airport's leisure network. (source)
- 2025 Wizz Air passed 6 million cumulative passengers at Gatwick, having grown its operation there by around 19% (2.8m passengers in the latest year). (source)
Passenger records / milestones
- Full year 2025 Gatwick handled 42.8 million passengers in 2025, and a record 57 airlines operated from the airport, the most in its history. (source)
More
More: Overview, Taxis, Public transport, Parking, Drop-off, Routes, FAQs.
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Last verified August 2026 by the Gatwick Airport Guide editorial team. Prices and timetables change, so confirm the specifics on the official Gatwick Airport website before you travel.