Gatwick is the busiest single runway airport in the world, the second largest airport in the UK and the sixth busiest international airport in the world.

Its development strategy for the future focuses on the airport's expansion as a single runway, two terminal airport, as it grows to handle around 40 million passengers a year, within the next ten years.

• Number of terminals: 2 (North and South)
• Number of passengers: over 31 million
• Number of airlines: 70
• Number of destinations: around 200
• Number of runways: 1

INFORMATION DESK
Each arrivals concourse has an information desk where multi-lingual staff are on hand to deal with enquiries, usually 24 hours a day. Public address announcements are made from the desks and they have message boards. For insurance reasons, no items (including keys, packages etc) may be left at the desks or on the message boards.

For public annoucements please call +44 (0) 870 000 2468.

DISABLED FACILITIES:
If you have a special need and require assistance the key to a successful trip is planning. Here are our tips:

• Compare the arrangements offered by different airlines before making your booking.
• Be sure to check whether the cost of any special assistance is included in the price of your ticket.
• Inform your airline of your particular needs in good time.
• Check the policy of your airline if you wish to remain in your own wheelchair to the aircraft door rather than transfer to an airline wheelchair at check-in.
• Bear in mind that there are often long walking distances within airports and that you may need assistance for this reason.
• For details of the type of assistance available, please contact your airline or their handling agent.

British Airways - +44 (0)1293 502835
Aviance North Terminal - +44 (0)1293 507147
Aviance South Terminal - +44 (0)1293 502337
Servisair - +44 (0)1293 505589

FOR GENERAL ADVICE
Gatwick call centre - +44 (0)870 0002468
Minicom - +44 (0)1293 513179

TRAVEL-CARE
An independent agency offering assistance to anyone at Gatwick who has a problem, whatever the situation. Travel-Care can be found in The Village, South Terminal and is open from 0900 - 1700 Monday to Friday and 0900 - 1600 Saturday and Sunday. +44 (0)1293 504283

FACILITIES FOR THE HARD OF HEARING:
Where there are signs showing the sympathetic ear symbol, induction loops amplify announcements or conversations for passengers wearing hearing aids who switch to "T".

Induction loops are found in various locations particularly in reserved seating areas for special needs passenger and at information desks to enable easy conversation.

Payphones and credit card telephones are available in all parts of the airport and are adapted for hearing aids. There are also text pay phones available within the terminal buildings.

FACILITIES FOR THE PARTIALLY SIGHTED:
Guide and hearing dogs are allowed in the terminal buildings.

The airport directional signing is black on yellow to provide optimum contrast to assist all users.

Reserved seating areas aim to provide low level flight information, but if you do have difficulty seeing the monitors generally, please advise your airline or airline handling agent at check-in.

ASSISTANCE FROM OUR HELP POINTS:
Help points are located on terminal forecourts, short-stay car parks, stations, baggage reclaim halls and on some routes within terminals where there are long walking distances.

Help points include a 'You are Here' map and a telephone.

Assistance is free to those with special needs and you can request wheelchair push/provision or help with baggage in order to reach check-in.

CONFERENCE AND BUSINESS FACILITIES:
A first class meeting and conference venue, managed by HQ Global Workplaces, in partnership with BAA is available at Gatwick Airport. The centre is located on the 7th floor of Norfolk House within Gatwick's South Terminal and can be used for board meetings, interviews, training, presentations and receptions.

To make a reservation or for further information, please contact Natalie Bouckaert on +44 (0)1293 555777

CAR HIRE:
The car hire companies at Gatwick are Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and National. Car hire booking desks, open 0600-2300, are situated between Departures and International Arrivals; bookings are taken on arrival if vehicles are available but pre-booking is recommended. To book online click here.

CAR PARKING:
There are both short- and long-term car parks. Short-term parking is located very close to the terminal building. Long-term, or holiday-stay, parking is also available; regular coaches transfer passengers to the terminal (travellers should allow an extra 30 minutes to access the terminal from the car parks); discounts are available for travellers who pre-book car parking on our website. To receive a discount for long-term car parking click here.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
London Gatwick is 45kms (28 miles) south of London, directly linked to the M23 motorway at junction 9 and to the A23 London-Brighton road. Just a 10 minute drive away, the M25 further connects with the UK's extensive road and motorway network. For more details click here.

AIRPORT HOTELS:
There are a variety of Gatwick airport hotels that you can book online. Many of our UK airport hotels also offer a package including airport parking that can cost less than parking alone, or not much more. To book online click here.

BUREAU DE CHANGE OUTLETS - NORTH TERMINAL
The bureaux de change outlets are open for all international flights and are operated by the following companies:

Travelex
Thomas Cook
TTT +44 (0)1293 567744
+44 (0)1293 567197
+44 (0)1293 568687

BUREAU DE CHANGE OUTLETS - SOUTH TERMINAL
Travelex
TTT +44 (0)1293 567744
+44 (0)1293 568689