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Background
GATWICK is the second largest UK airport currently handling around 30 million passenger per annum. An airport development strategy is now in place which has set the framework for its future growth to accommodate around 40 million passengers per annum by 2008/09.
Like all airports, Gatwick affects people's lives in many different ways. On the one hand it offers a wide range of jobs and brings economic benefits and prosperity to the area. But on the other hand it can cause a number of problems and concerns to local communities, particularly on issues such as aircraft noise both in the air and on the ground, pollution, development demands, traffic and parking. Also, the traveller's experience of the airport, as well as the needs of the airlines, are very important elements in the consideration of the airport's future.
The purpose of GATCOM is to advise the Airport's Managing Director about issues which concern the local communities, travellers and other users of the airport and to stimulate interest both within the airport community and local people. Seeking a balance between these wide and conflicting interests is a challenging role. Our primary objective is to ensure the future success of Gatwick providing high quality services to passengers and airlines, having particular regard to the impact this has on the surrounding communities.
GATCOM also has a role in ensuring BAA Gatwick deliver the 142 commitments contained in the airport's Sustainable Development Strategy which sets out the framework for the future growth of the airport to accommodate around 40 million passengers per annum by 2008/09. Many of the commitments are given added force by 36 obligations forming part of a Section 106 legal agreement with the local planning authorities (West Sussex County Council and Crawley Borough Council). One of the legal obligations requires BAA Gatwick, West Sussex County Council and Crawley Borough Council to prepare an Annual Monitoring Report of all the commitments and legal obligations for subsequent independent consideration and verification by an environmental consultant. GATCOM is one of the consultees in the monitoring process and suggests specific commitments/obligations for independent verification. [More Details]More about Sustainable Development Strategy
How
does GATCOM work?
GATCOM was established in 1956. It is a statutory advisory body constituted by BAA Gatwick in accordance with the Civil Aviation Act 1982 (as amended by the Airports Act 1986). GATCOM does not however have any powers to enforce or impose its recommendations. Even though it is purely an advisory body, it exercises a considerable degree of influence. Its effectiveness depends entirely upon its powers of persuasion and on the goodwill of all those involved.
It has 28 appointed representatives from a wide range of interests including local authorities, civil aviation, passenger, business and community and environmental groups. A Government representative is also present at the main Committee meetings, together with BAA Gatwick's Managing Director and his senior management team.
GATCOM meets four times a year to consider any question in connection with the operation and development of Gatwick and its affect on local communities, passengers, airlines and other users of the airport.
Sub-Committees
GATCOM has two Sub-Committees:
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The Gatcom Steering Group - the Steering Group is composed of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman and ten other members of GATCOM reflecting the composition of interests of the main Committee. The role of the Steering Group is to give preliminary consideration to new or detailed matters to be dealt with by the Consultative Committee and to identify the facts and major issues, and make recommendations thereon. The Steering Group also deals with urgent matters on behalf of GATCOM.
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The Passenger Advisory Group - the role of the Group is:
To monitor the procedures and facilities available to passengers and to make recommendations for their improvement.
To identify any issues arising from passenger experiences and make recommendations.To identify any gaps in services available to passengers.
To consider procedures for handling and responding to passenger complaints.
To provide a passenger overview on airport developments at the design stage.
To establish and maintain a positive working relationship with relevant BAA Gatwick managers and airline contacts, including consultation in respect of key developments for passenger services and facilities.
To report regularly to GATCOM and to make recommendations in respect of its conclusions and concerns about the provision of passenger facilities and service quality at Gatwick.
GATCOM also has representatives on BAA Gatwick's Noise and Track Monitoring Advisory Group (NATMAG) and the newly established Ground Noise Committee.
There is more information on our Sub Committees page
More Information
Click below for more information about the work of GATCOM
Constitution
Membership
Latest Agenda
Minutes
Sub Committees
Diary of Meetings
For more general information about Consultative Committees visit the website of the Liaison Group of Airport Consultative Committees
Gatwick Airport Consultative Committee
Page last modified: 24th July 2008
Pictures by Stuart Innes and BAA plc