Gatwick calls for better rail links to compete with Heathrow
By PDADCO payday loans
Wednesday, 30 Nov -0001 12:00
The report outlines a vision for ensuring that the UK’s busiest rail network and its second largest airport are properly integrated, supporting the UK’s future international connectivity and the needs of the commuter.
Gatwick currently operates at around 78% capacity so is able to accommodate more flights and support the economic wellbeing of the UK. Gatwick has already opened new routes to key trading partners, including direct routes to China, Hong Kong, South Korea and Vietnam. Rail links however are critical to attracting new airlines: Research shows that airlines rate surface access to an airport as one of the top three critical reasons for locating there.
“Special branding, focused customer services, on train ticket sales, baggage space, and a dedicated fast non-stop rail service will attract more passengers,” Emirate Airlines commented in the report.
“Passengers’ journeys from plane to train to the heart of London from Gatwick are the fastest and most convenient of all London airports and airlines are choosing to operate from Gatwick because of our connectivity to London,” Guy Stephenson, Gatwick Airport’s Chief Commercial Officer said.
“However, the report shows that a passenger’s impressions of Gatwick’s rail links lag behind other London airports and the capabilities of the trains on the Gatwick Express rank below equivalents at Heathrow, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Stockholm airports. We have the capacity to handle more flights and strengthen our country’s trade links with emerging markets. But if Gatwick is to continue attracting the new routes the economy needs, its rail links must improve in quality and extent.”
The report proposes that any new rail franchise should seek to cater for the needs of air passengers and commuters in the South East, and should require rail links to and from Gatwick to be improved. In particular, any new operator must provide a direct, express rail link to London with new carriages and re-introduce an on-board ticketing service.
According to the report, Gatwick is the only London airport with services to 10 or more domestic destinations so the UK market is proportionally more important than for Heathrow and Stansted. However, it is predominantly a point to point London airport. Passengers from the South East outnumber all other air passengers by nearly four to one at Gatwick, reinforcing the importance of connectivity to the region and London.
One of the key highlights of the report is to keep the Gatwick Express a dedicated, premium, non-stop service to London.
Current Gatwick Express Class 442 trains are not favourable for passengers with reduced mobility or heavy luggage. Also, peak service extension to Brighton means that trains are already crowded in the morning peak on arrival at Gatwick. According to the Board of Airline Representatives in the UK, non-stop trains are essential, so not being able to buy ticket on the train, joining an already busy train and concerns over baggage security make the current Gatwick Express service less attractive.
“The Arup research reinforces the North Star air-rail success criteria and represents the aviation perspective well. However, it would appear that in the UK, the London airport rail corridors are reaching a ‘tipping point’ where the dis-benefit of overcrowding on co-existent commuter services is perceived to outweigh the benefit of dedicated airport train services. The new franchise offers an opportunity to find a win-win timetable and service offering that suits the interests of all passenger types and stakeholders. We feel confident that this is can happen for Gatwick,” Richard Brown, Managing Director of North Star commented on the report.
Download full report here >>>
Gatwick currently operates at around 78% capacity so is able to accommodate more flights and support the economic wellbeing of the UK. Gatwick has already opened new routes to key trading partners, including direct routes to China, Hong Kong, South Korea and Vietnam. Rail links however are critical to attracting new airlines: Research shows that airlines rate surface access to an airport as one of the top three critical reasons for locating there.
“Special branding, focused customer services, on train ticket sales, baggage space, and a dedicated fast non-stop rail service will attract more passengers,” Emirate Airlines commented in the report.
“Passengers’ journeys from plane to train to the heart of London from Gatwick are the fastest and most convenient of all London airports and airlines are choosing to operate from Gatwick because of our connectivity to London,” Guy Stephenson, Gatwick Airport’s Chief Commercial Officer said.
“However, the report shows that a passenger’s impressions of Gatwick’s rail links lag behind other London airports and the capabilities of the trains on the Gatwick Express rank below equivalents at Heathrow, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Stockholm airports. We have the capacity to handle more flights and strengthen our country’s trade links with emerging markets. But if Gatwick is to continue attracting the new routes the economy needs, its rail links must improve in quality and extent.”
The report proposes that any new rail franchise should seek to cater for the needs of air passengers and commuters in the South East, and should require rail links to and from Gatwick to be improved. In particular, any new operator must provide a direct, express rail link to London with new carriages and re-introduce an on-board ticketing service.
According to the report, Gatwick is the only London airport with services to 10 or more domestic destinations so the UK market is proportionally more important than for Heathrow and Stansted. However, it is predominantly a point to point London airport. Passengers from the South East outnumber all other air passengers by nearly four to one at Gatwick, reinforcing the importance of connectivity to the region and London.
One of the key highlights of the report is to keep the Gatwick Express a dedicated, premium, non-stop service to London.
Current Gatwick Express Class 442 trains are not favourable for passengers with reduced mobility or heavy luggage. Also, peak service extension to Brighton means that trains are already crowded in the morning peak on arrival at Gatwick. According to the Board of Airline Representatives in the UK, non-stop trains are essential, so not being able to buy ticket on the train, joining an already busy train and concerns over baggage security make the current Gatwick Express service less attractive.
“The Arup research reinforces the North Star air-rail success criteria and represents the aviation perspective well. However, it would appear that in the UK, the London airport rail corridors are reaching a ‘tipping point’ where the dis-benefit of overcrowding on co-existent commuter services is perceived to outweigh the benefit of dedicated airport train services. The new franchise offers an opportunity to find a win-win timetable and service offering that suits the interests of all passenger types and stakeholders. We feel confident that this is can happen for Gatwick,” Richard Brown, Managing Director of North Star commented on the report.
Download full report here >>>
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