London Gatwick expands airline network with Gulf Air and over 20 new carriers

Monday, March 3, 2025

Government reports from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Department for Transport (DfT) highlight Gatwick’s strategic advantage: more available slots, lower operational costs, and strong international brand recognition.

This has made it an attractive hub for airlines unable to secure their desired slots at Heathrow.

Gulf Air Joins Gatwick: Bahrain-London Route Launches March 2025

Bahrain’s Gulf Air will commence operations at Gatwick on March 30, 2025, aligning with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) summer schedule.

This expansion supplements its existing double-daily Heathrow flights, enhancing connectivity between London and the Middle East.

📍 New Route Details:
✈ Bahrain (BAH) – Gatwick (LGW)

• GF9: 01:45 – 06:55 (7h 10m)
• GF10: 11:25 – 20:00 (6h 35m)

Operating three times weekly on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, Gulf Air’s Gatwick flights aim to support its core South Asian, UAE, Saudi Arabian, and Southeast Asian connectivity.

Gatwick’s Growing Airline Portfolio: 2023-2025

Since 2023, over 20 airlines have either launched or resumed Gatwick operations.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) reports a shift in airline strategies due to slot constraints at Heathrow, with many opting for cost-effective operations at Gatwick.

📅 Recent Airline Additions:

• 2025: Gulf Air, Kenya Airways
• 2024: Air Peace, Atlantic Airways, flyErbil, Iberia Express, ITA Airways, SkyAlps, Uzbekistan Airlines, Turkmenistan Airlines
• 2023: Air China, Air India, Air Mauritius, Azerbaijan Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, Delta Air Lines, Ethiopian Airlines, Norse Atlantic, Saudia, SKY express, UR Airlines, Volotea

🔹 Key Categories of Airlines Choosing Gatwick:
✅ Airlines blocked from Heathrow expansion (e.g., Gulf Air, Kenya Airways)
✅ New UK market entrants (e.g., Air Peace)
✅ Carriers switching from Heathrow for lower costs (e.g., Air Mauritius, ITA Airways)
✅ Specialized/niche operators (e.g., flyErbil, SkyAlps)

Kenya Airways Returns to Gatwick After 20+ Years

Kenya Airways will resume Gatwick flights on July 2, 2025, marking the first Nairobi-Gatwick connection in over two decades.

The UK Department for Transport (DfT) confirms the move comes as Kenya Airways struggled to secure additional Heathrow slots beyond its current daily service.

📍 Kenya Airways UK Expansion:

• Heathrow: 7 weekly flights
• Gatwick: 3 weekly flights (new)

While this increases Kenya Airways’ UK footprint to 10 weekly flights, it falls short of its 2023 peak of 13 Heathrow flights, underscoring the impact of London’s competitive slot market.

Challenges & Airline Departures at Gatwick

Despite its success, Gatwick has also lost several carriers, including Azores Airlines, Bamboo Airways, and Lufthansa. Additionally, Scoot withdrew its Singapore-Bangkok-Gatwick route in 2022, reflecting the dynamic nature of airline networks.

However, Gatwick remains resilient, with new long-haul routes and two airlines (British Airways and Norse Atlantic) launching Bangkok flights in 2025—a first for the airport.

The Future of Gatwick’s Airline Growth

With London’s aviation landscape evolving, Gatwick is positioning itself as a cost-effective alternative to Heathrow, offering greater slot flexibility and expanding international routes.

As demand for Middle East, Asia, and Africa connectivity grows, Gatwick is set to remain a key player in UK aviation.