GATWICK bosses have called for improved rail services so that they can make the best possible use of existing capacity at the airport.
While they are keen, in the long term, to build a second runway, in the short and medium term the goal is to get as many passengers as possible taking off from the existing runway.
It is estimated that about 24 per cent of the airport's capacity is still available and better rail links would no doubt reduce this figure. Although the airport has recently attracted new long-haul routes to China and Vietnam, as well as links to emerging markets including Turkey and Russia, chiefs are keen to ensure Gatwick can continue to grow until the mid-2020s with a single runway.
In a submission to the Airports Commission, they call for more dedicated, high-quality and value-for-money services into London. Key to this, they believe, is for better rolling stock to be introduced for the Gatwick Express.
They want to see a 30-minute, non-stop Gatwick Express service to London running every 15 minutes, with on-board ticket sales and more luggage space.
They also believe the airport would benefit from two trains per hour to Reading supported by an additional platform at Redhill and longer trains at peak periods.
Chief executive Stewart Wingate said: "Airports should not be planning to fail their passengers, they should be planning to deliver certainty and an excellent service at all times."
Other issues that the submission says need addressing include better use of local air space, runway slots and the airport's night-flight quota.
Gatwick bosses estimate that about 300,000 extra passengers could be accommodated if the airport were allowed to utilise slots more efficiently.
