Passenger numbers at Gatwick fell 10.7% in December, compared to the same month in 2009, which the airport blamed on disruption due to heavy snowfall.
In future snow storms, however, the airport should fare better, as it plans to double its fleet of snow ploughs from 47 to 95.
Following the first snowfall in December, the airport invested £8 million in new snow clearing equipment.
The first two new snow ploughs arrived in time for the second dumping of snow at the airport in late December, which Gatwick said helped to reopen the airport in less than five hours.
Putting aside the snow, Gatwick said the underlying trends show a growth of 2.6%, following two consecutive months of growth at the airport.
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