Heathrow vs Gatwick Airport
Difference between Heathrow and Gatwick airport can be useful to you if you are planning to go to London by plane. Heathrow and Gatwick are two airports situated in London but are different and away from each other. People use either of the airports after considering their traveling route and making out the shortest traveling period from both the airports. The place of the two airports in the city of London is entirely different which makes these two different from each other. Heathrow Airport is situated in London Borough while Gatwick Airport is situated in Central London.
More about Heathrow Airport
The London Heathrow Airport is in the London Borough of Hillingdon and is known as one of the busiest airports in the United Kingdom. Heathrow Airport is the third (2014) busiest airport of the world in terms of passenger traffic, and it is the first in terms of international passenger traffic (2013). The airport is known as the busiest airport in EU in terms of passenger traffic and second busiest in terms of traffic movements. Heathrow airport’s Terminal 5 was awarded the World’s Best Airport Terminal in 2014 by Skytrax.
Heathrow Airport is owned by Heathrow Airport Holdings. Heathrow Airport has a CAA public use aerodrome license, which allows public transport flights of passengers or for the sake of flying instruction. Heathrow serves as a hub for BMI (British Midland International) and British Airways and serves as a base for Virgin Atlantic.
More about Gatwick Airport
The London Gatwick Airport is located about 45Km from the south of Central London. Gatwick Airport is the second largest international airport and the second busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic in England. Gatwick is owned by a consortium led by Global Infrastructure Partners, who are the owners of London City Airport. Gatwick is usually preferred by the Charter Airlines as it serves as a base for London and South East. The airport serves as a base for scheduled operators such as Aer Lingus, British Airways, EasyJet, Flybe, Virgin Atlantic and a number of other charter airlines, which include Monarch Airlines, Thomas Cook Airlines and Thomson Airways. Gatwick Airport is one of the most unique airports of London with significant airline presence.
What is the difference between Heathrow and Gatwick Airport?
• The London Heathrow Airport is in the London Borough of Hillingdon and is known as one of the busiest airports in the United Kingdom.
• The London Gatwick Airport is located about 45Km from the south of Central London.
• Heathrow Airport is mostly used by passenger planes while Gatwick Airport is used mostly by charter planes that land in London.
• The Heathrow Airport has got two runways. One is used for taking off and the other runway is used for landing purposes. On the other hand, Gatwick Airport has got two runways but both of them are not used at the same time due to little difference between both these runways. Second Runway is only used when the first runway is closed for maintenance or due to maintenance.
• The landing on Heathrow Airport is assisted by VOR Radio Navigational Beacon and Air Traffic Controllers at Heathrow guide aircraft to the final approach while making use of continuous descent approach techniques. After final approach of the aircraft, control is transferred to Heathrow Tower.
• The main runway of Gatwick Airport works with an Instrument Landing System while the other is deprived of this system. Combination of distance measuring equipment is also used to assist the approaching aircraft.
• Heathrow Airport and Gatwick Airport have access to Road and Railway transport. Both the airports have access to Buses and Coaches.
• Heathrow Airport offers much transportation facilities with Taxis and more Railway options as compared to Gatwick. The easier approach to city areas by Heathrow Airport makes it a better choice to use while landing in London.
Images Courtesy:
- London Heathrow, Terminal 5 by Warren Rohner (CC BY-SA 2.0)
- Gatwick North Terminal by Martin Roell (CC BY-SA 2.0)
