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GATCOM to hear about Airport's Olympic Plans
GATCOM – the Gatwick Airport Consultative Committee – is expecting to hear more about how the international airport is gearing up for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Details of the planning for both events are on the agenda for GATCOM’S next meeting on Thursday, July 22.
The item forms part of a busy agenda for the meeting in the Ascot Suite of the Hilton Hotel, South Terminal, which starts at 2pm and is open to the public.
“There is quite a lot of good news to report,” said GATCOM Chairman Dr John Godfrey.
“For example, we will hear that air pollution levels continue on a downward trend, and that the National Air Traffic Service (NATS) is working with air traffic controllers to reduce the number of aircraft flying over Horley.
“I am also sure that members will want to congratulate Gatwick, for delivering the 'first major milestone' in its £1 billion investment programme. Passengers flying through Gatwick can now enjoy its new state-of-the-art inter-terminal shuttle, two months ahead of schedule and in time for the four million passengers that are expected to travel through the airport this summer.”
GATCOM is also expected to hear more about the new coalition Government’s approach to aviation after further runways were ruled out.
A Task Force to look at airports in the South East was recently announced and GATCOM is waiting to see its terms of reference.
GATCOM Press Statement: SOUTH EAST AIRPORTS TASK FORCE
Dr John Godfrey, Chairman of GATCOM - the Gatwick Airport Consultative Committee, said today: "We welcome the setting up of this Task Force and GATCOM and its Passenger Advisory Group will seek to play a role in its deliberations.”
"The new Government's decision not to allow the building of new runways at the London airports means that the 2003 Air Transport White Paper needs to be revisited and there is the need for a revised statement of national aviation policy to provide a strategic framework for the future development of the aviation industry.”
"The emphasis in the Government statement on better not bigger airports and improved services for passengers is encouraging.”
"We hope that the Task Force will also have on its agenda the very important role that a competitive and successful Gatwick plays in the economy of the south east region.”
"GATCOM looks forward to seeing the detailed terms of reference in due course and will seek full involvement in the process.”
Body Scanners on the Agenda for GATCOM
15 April 2010
The use of body scanners to improve aircraft and passenger safety is one of the items on a varied agenda for the next meeting of GATCOM – the Gatwick Airport Consultative Committee.
Members will be discussing a paper summarising the Department for Transport’s consultation on a code of practice for the acceptable use of security scanners at airports.
Dr John Godfrey, Chairman of GATCOM said the issue had already been discussed by the committee’s Passenger Advisory Group.
He said: “I am sure that we will be very keen to ensure that Gatwick communicates to passengers at the earliest possible stage of their journey through the airport what the security check will involve, and who might be asked to have a body scan.”
The GATCOM meeting is taking place on Thursday April 22 at the Sofitel, North Terminal, Gatwick, from 2pm, and is open to the public.
Members are also expected to hear more about future plans for the airport, which was sold in December 2009 by BAA to Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP).
Stewart Wingate, Gatwick’s Chief Executive Officer, will attend to present a report on recent activities at the airport.
Dr Godfrey said: “We will also be looking at strategic transport options for the Gatwick Diamond area prior to a final report that will be considered by the Regional Transport Board on May 21.
“A number of sustainable transport studies have been commissioned in the South East including one for the Gatwick Diamond. The aim is to identify ways in which the transport network and associated services can be modified, adapted and improved to meet the aspirations of the study area and address the strategic challenges it faces.
“This is a hugely important piece of work given the key role that Gatwick Airport and the Gatwick Diamond plays in the local and national economy.”
GATCOM to hear from Airport's new Chairman
26 January 2010
The first meeting of the Gatwick Airport Consultative Committee (GATCOM) since the sale of the international airport is being held on Thursday (January 28).
The agenda includes an address by Sir David Rowlands, Chairman of Gatwick Airport Ltd, followed by a question and answer session with members of GATCOM.
The meeting is also being attended by Stewart Wingate, Gatwick’s new Chief Executive Officer.
The sale of the airport from BAA to Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) was completed in December.
Neil Maltby, GATCOM’S Vice-Chairman, said: “This will be a good opportunity to hear how Sir David sees the future of the airport in the long as well as the short term.
“Our members will want to build a sound working relationship with GIP and the new executive management team, and be closely involved and consulted about any future proposals.
“I am sure members will want to hear from Sir David about his vision for Gatwick, and how GIP expects to balance the needs of the economy and business with the airport’s environmental obligations.”
Mr Wingate is attending the meeting to update GATCOM on airport activities since the last meeting of the committee, and has been asked for an update on the reasons for the runway closures during recent bad weather and the lessons learned. GATCOM will also ask about the implications for Gatwick following the failed Christmas Day bomb plot.
The meeting is taking place at the Arora International Hotel, Southgate Avenue, Crawley, at 2pm, and is open to the public.
The agenda also includes an update on proposed improvements to Gatwick’s railway station – GATCOM has been pressing for track and signalling improvements to create a full transport interchange, as well the improvements to the station concourse in time for London 2012.
Members will also be discussing ways of ensuring the views of Gatwick passengers are fully heard at national level if the Government presses ahead with a proposal to extend the role of Passenger Focus from trains and buses into the national organisation representing air passengers.
GATCOM’s message to new owners of Gatwick
4th December 2009
The Chairman of GATCOM – The Gatwick Airport Consultative Committee – says the organisation wants to forge a ‘sound working relationship’ with the new owners of the international airport.
Chairman Dr John Godfrey was speaking today (December 4) as the sale of the airport from BAA to Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) was finally completed.
He said: “GATCOM always enjoyed a sound working relationship with BAA, and we are anxious to see that continue with the new owner.
“As the statutory advisory committee for the airport, we look forward to working closely with GIP to see the ‘new’ Gatwick develop.
“This is a significant moment for the airport, the people who rely on it for their employment, the local community, and, of course, the millions of passengers who use Gatwick every year.
“We want to be closely involved and consulted about any future proposals, and look forward to maintaining the involvement of senior directors of Gatwick Airport in GATCOM meetings
“As we are all aware, current government policy is that the development of a second runway at Gatwick is not a preferred solution to increasing airport capacity in the South East. That position is reinforced by the acceptance on all sides that the legal agreement between Gatwick and West Sussex County Council, which expires in 2019, precludes the building of a second runway.
“GATCOM has a strong interest – and a remit – in ensuring the airport is operated efficiently and effectively having particular regard to its impact on surrounding communities and the environment, and we look forward to working with the Gatwick management team to deliver that.”
GIP, which runs London City Airport, is reported to be planning ‘massive improvements to customer service’.
Peter Hall, Chairman of GATCOM’S Passenger Advisory Group, said: “When the sale was announced a GIP source said that it would upgrade and modernise Gatwick Airport to transform the experience for both business and leisure passengers. We look forward to hearing more about those plans and providing our input.
Dr Godfrey added: “Gatwick will be second only to Heathrow as a major gateway into the UK for the 2012 Olympic Games, so customer experience is going to be a very important issue for GIP.”
GATCOM Chairman welcomes the New Gatwick
Commenting on the news that BAA had sold London Gatwick Airport, the Chairman of GATCOM; Dr John Godfrey said his committee looked forward to working with the new owners Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP).
Dr Godfrey said:
“I welcome the news of the sale which will bring to an end a period of uncertainty for the company, its staff and business partners.
“As the statutory advisory committee for the airport, we look forward to working closely with GIP to see the ‘new’ Gatwick develop.”
“GATCOM has a good relationship with the Gatwick management team who are always keen to hear our views and thoughts about the operation of the Airport. As it happens, GATCOM’s Annual Tour of the Airport and our quarterly meeting take place tomorrow and we will hear first hand what the sale will mean”.
“As we are all aware, current government policy is that the development of a second runway at Gatwick is not a priority. That position is reinforced by the acceptance on all sides of the legal agreement between Gatwick and West Sussex County Council that means no new runway can be built before 2019.”
“GATCOM has a strong interest – and a remit – in ensuring the airport, is operated efficiently and effectively having particular regard to its impact on surrounding communities and the environment”.
GATCOM Members will sample the Airport Experience
Members of the Gatwick Airport Consultative Committee will be checking in for their annual tour of the international airport on Thursday, October 22.
One of the aims will be to look at the type of experience passengers are getting as they jet away on business or holiday. The tour takes place before the next full meeting of GATCOM.
GATCOM Chairman, Dr John Godfrey, said: “The annual tour is a good opportunity to sample the Gatwick experience at first hand and speak to some of the people who make the airport tick.
At the meeting GATCOM will hear that an independent report into aircraft arrivals procedures at Gatwick has found that the airport meets best practice in comparison with other international airports across Europe. They are also fully compliant with UK civil aviation requirements and legislation.
“The independent ‘Eurocontrol’ report was commissioned by the Department for Transport, and it is very welcome news that Gatwick has passed this very important ‘health check’ into its arrivals procedure.”
The GATCOM meeting is being held at the North Terminal Sofitel hotel from 2pm, and is open to the public.
Other items on the agenda include –
- An update on policing at the airport from Superintendent Jane Rhodes who is Commander of the Gatwick Division for Sussex Police.
- Considering a report from the Passenger Advisory Group, which includes concerns about the new Southern Trains franchise and replacement rolling stock for the Gatwick Express.
- A technical paper about the impact on Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty from flights to and from the airport.
Dr Godfrey also said: “We also hope to have an update on the Gatwick Station scheme and the amount of funding that will be available to upgrade Gatwick Station before the 2012 Olympic games.
“GATCOM is very anxious to see a full package that includes a new station concourse as well as major track and signalling improvements.
“This is a really vital scheme given that Gatwick will be second only to Heathrow as a major gateway into Britain for this showpiece event, and we want the passenger experience to be as welcoming and smooth as possible.
“It is not just important for the Olympics, but also for the longer term reputation of Gatwick as a major international airport.”
GATCOM fears over the Gatwick Express
The future of the Gatwick Express – the fast, dedicated service between the airport and London Victoria – will come under the spotlight again next week at a meeting of GATCOM.
Members of the Gatwick Airport Consultative Committee are expected to endorse a report that says ‘there is major concern that the quality and integrity’ of the service is again being threatened.
One of the agenda items is a debate on Network Rail’s draft Sussex Route Utilisation Strategy (RUS), currently out for public consultation with an August 21 deadline for comments.
The meeting is expected to endorse a report that says GATCOM will:
- “Support the retention of a dedicated, non-stop airport express service between Gatwick and London Victoria. This premium service is also of significant importance to the economy of the Gatwick Diamond by providing a dedicated fast link for business commuters, both for those making connecting air journeys, and for those business commuters requiring a fast link to London or to the Gatwick Diamond area.
- “Object to proposals involving the insertion of a stop at either Clapham Junction or East Croydon within any Gatwick Express service, as it is believed that this would further degrade the premium airport express service and further exacerbate crowding on peak hour Gatwick Express trains.”
GATCOM will also continue its efforts to ensure that the plans for the improvement of Gatwick Airport Station, which include a new platform, are delivered in time for the 2012 Olympic Games.
The GATCOM meeting, which is open to the public, is being held on Thursday July 23 at The Sofitel Hotel, North Terminal, Gatwick, from 2pm.
GATCOM Chairman, Dr John Godfrey, said: “There are aspects of the draft rail strategy that are welcome and will benefit Gatwick passengers and people working at the airport.
“However, there are also areas of concern and the future of the Gatwick Express is a prime example. Any further degrading of the service will have an impact on the ability of Gatwick Airport Limited to achieve its targets of encouraging passengers and staff to make greater use of the rail network and get cars off local roads.”
The meeting will also include a presentation by the UK Border Agency on a new business plan, its work at the airport and new technology. GATCOM is keen to ensure that passenger queuing times at passport control at Gatwick are kept to a minimum.
Dr Godfrey said: “There is a careful balance to be struck between security and the needs of passengers.
“We will be keen to hear about service standards for processing passengers, particularly at peak times, so that all the continuing work to improve the passenger experience at the airport does not suffer.”
Members will also be considering their response to the draft Noise Action Plan published by Gatwick Airport Limited.
Station Improvements on the GATCOM Agenda
GATCOM – the Gatwick Airport Consultative Committee – is due to hear about revised proposals to improve the airport’s railway station at its meeting this week.
Short and longer-term improvements to the forecourt of the South Terminal are also expected to be unveiled during a presentation at the meeting on Thursday, April 30.
Network Rail and Gatwick Airport Ltd will be presenting options for their joint plan to redevelop Gatwick railway station.
Gatwick Airport Ltd will also be updating the committee on its investment plans to improve the South Terminal forecourt and landside area to provide better access, space and a positive welcome for passengers.
Dr John Godfrey, Chairman of GATCOM, said: “There has been a great deal of speculation about what level of investment there will be for the station, and the badly needed improvement scheme for both the concourse as well as the track and signalling.
“Hopefully, we will learn much more during the presentation by Network Rail and Gatwick Airport Ltd.
“Gatwick will be a major gateway into Britain for the Olympics, and there has been strong support for a scheme that will provide visitors with a welcoming experience as well as improving services in the long term.”
A Noise Action Plan for the airport will also be discussed at the meeting prior to a major public consultation.
Defra – the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs – has asked all airport operators to produce a Noise Action Plan.
Gatwick Airport Ltd has to liaise with GATCOM over its draft plan before a public consultation takes place.
Dr Godfrey said: “The Government has said that the aim of the Noise Action Plan at all airports is to manage and reduce environmental noise where necessary, and maintain noise quality where it is good.
“This is obviously a major issue for people living close to Gatwick and its flight paths, and we will be working closely to ensure, as far as practicable, that a plan emerges from this process that meets the operational needs of the airport and its neighbours.”
The GATCOM meeting is being held at The Holiday Inn, Povey Cross Road, Horley, at 2pm and is open to the public.
Other agenda items include an update from Gatwick Airport Ltd Managing Director, Andy Flower.
GATCOM will also be discussing Department for Transport proposals to reform the way airports are regulated.
A report says giving passengers a bigger voice are welcome, but there are concerns about scrapping the Air Transport User’s Council and merging its role with Passenger Focus, the rail and bus consumer watchdog.
GATCOM is also looking for assurances about the future of its own Passenger Advisory Group.
GATCOM looks forward to the Olympics
January 2009
The impact of London 2012 on Gatwick and the airport station is on the agenda for the next meeting of GATCOM – the Gatwick Airport Consultative Committee.
The meeting on Thursday, January 29, will include a presentation by Danny Sloan, BAA’s Director of Planning for the Olympics, on the impact of the Games for the airport and the region.
It will include –
- The scale of the Olympics and the benefits to the airport.
- The implications for the airport station.
- The types of passengers likely to be using Gatwick together with the opportunities that exist for creating great first and last impressions.
Dr John Godfrey, Chairman of GATCOM, said: “Planning for the Olympics is a very important piece of work because Gatwick will be second only to Heathrow as a main gateway into the UK for London 2012.
“It is vitally important that visitors are able to travel to and from their various destinations as smoothly as possible, and I am sure there will be a great deal of interest in Mr Sloan’s presentation.”
The GATCOM meeting is taking place at The Holiday Inn, Povey Cross Road, Horley, from 2pm.
Members are also due to receive an update on the proposed improvements to Gatwick station, and Andy Flower, Managing Director of BAA Gatwick, will give an update on the process involved in the sale of Gatwick.
Also on the agenda will be a series of important environmental issues including BAA’s new noise complaints handling policy.
Detlef Golletz, Head of Transport and Infrastructure for the South East England Regional Development Agency (SEEDA), will also be at the meeting to give an overview of how the agency works with the airport.
SEEDA recently became a new GATCOM member organisation.
Dr Godfrey said: “GATCOM represents everyone with an interest in the airport, and we will also be receiving a report from our Passenger Advisory Group on its activities and recommendations for improvements.
“As always, the public are very welcome to attend and hear what is taking place in and around the airport.”
-ends –
Click here for a .pdf copy of the press release
‘Mind the Gap’
Statement from GATCOM - 14 November 2008
While we are pleased that the Office of the Rail Regulator (ORR) has decided to increase the funding for Gatwick railway station and the track remodelling scheme by £10 million, we are very concerned that this still falls far short of the £30 million estimated by Network Rail for its part of the preferred scheme.
This is a rare opportunity in which Gatwick Airport and Network Rail can work together to create a world-class facility at the UK's second gateway airport. The scheme was developed to create a unified transport interchange which will benefit travellers through the airport, staff and the local community as a whole.
We will continue to lobby the ORR and government to ensure that the right level of investment is released to redevelop the station to provide a seamless travel experience and to ensure that there is sufficient capacity for the growing travel needs of the airport and the whole Gatwick region.
Airport Sale under the spotlight at GATCOM
15/10/08
The Chief Executive of BAA, Colin Matthews, is expected to answer questions about the decision to sell off Gatwick when he attends a meeting tomorrow (Thursday) of the Gatwick Airport Consultative Committee.
It will be GATCOM’s first opportunity to discuss the sale, and members are expected to press for a series of safeguards.
Committee Chairman, Dr John Godfrey, said: “I think members will be very anxious to ensure that Gatwick is sold as a complete enterprise, and not just parts of the airport operation.
“I am sure that members will also want an assurance that any future owner will have the capability, credibility and financial resources to meet the needs of everyone with an interest in Gatwick, from the airlines to passengers as well as the local community.
“It will also be crucial that all the legal and planning agreements currently in force also transfer without change at the same time as the sale.”
Dr Godfrey said other items on the agenda for the meeting on Thursday, (October 16), at The Holiday Inn, Horley, would include ‘welcome news’ that there has been a big improvement in queuing times for security checks at Gatwick, thanks to extra staff and equipment.
Members will also discuss growing concerns that Network Rail will not receive the funding it needs to complete major track and signal improvements at Gatwick in time for the 2012 London Olympics.
ENDS
GATCOM
Page last modified: 16 July 2010