Last week”s COMMENT column regarding the less than quick attempts of the Kennedy Airport air traffic controllers to get aeroplanes in the air has resulted in a quick response from Gatwick of all places.
It seems that whilst JFK, with its 350,000 movements a year and four runways (admittedly two at right angles), can cause delays of more than 90 minutes, Gatwick, gleefully the world”s busiest single track airport, is now pushing an astonishing 50 landings and take offs in just 60 minutes, somewhat more than the 40 managed some years back. And on a regular basis too. In the last 12 months LGW had 263,000 movements (and as reminder Heathrow is 477,000).
Delving into this remarkable achievement it is all very simple. The man in charge of Airside Safety, Standards and Training is none other than Ben Ellis, whose name may be familiar to those involved in display flying. Ben is also chairman of the British Aerobatic Association. He denies any link but clearly anyone who can loop the loop is well equipped to sort out Jumbos and little twin piston engined aircraft landing at a very busy airport.
Worrying times at Gatwick!