| Gatwick airport is one of the most famous airports in | | | | In 1936, Gatwick unveiled the world's first circular airport |
| the United Kingdom and Europe as a whole. It stands in | | | | terminal, dubbed the Beehive. It was an extraordinary |
| the top 30 busiest airports in the world, and is the 8th | | | | achievement, as it was the first terminal to combine |
| largest in Europe by passenger traffic. Gatwick also | | | | literally every necessary stage of air travel. There was |
| holds the record as the busiest single-runway airport in | | | | a rail link directly to the terminal, and for the first time |
| the world, constantly handling traffic that other airports | | | | passengers could directly board their aircraft instead of |
| divide over multiple runways. | | | | having to travel across the runway on foot or by bus. |
| This airport was once a trans-continental powerhouse, | | | | #3 - The Blitz |
| but in recent years has focused on providing a | | | | The second World War saw Gatwick become |
| transportation hub for European destinations in | | | | primarily a military airport, to aid Britain with its air to air |
| particular. Pretty all European airlines, as well as many | | | | combat against the deadly German air-force. Gatwick |
| airlines from elsewhere in the world, direct at least | | | | participated when it was requisitioned by the RAF as a |
| some of their aircraft through it. | | | | combat airfield, and provided service to a number of |
| Gatwick recently announced plans to expand their | | | | important operations necessary to keeping England's |
| infrastructure with a one billion pound investment aimed | | | | skies clear of bombers. |
| at improving the visitor experience in terms of | | | | #4 - From Jockeys to Pilots |
| everything from access to aesthetics. Those | | | | Did you know that Gatwick used to be a racecourse? |
| responsible for running the airport feel that this | | | | Purchased from private hands in 1890, the land was |
| investment will allow them to match, or even surpass, | | | | turned into a modern racing facility that even included |
| Heathrow airport, whose shadow it is has constantly | | | | its own railway station. Now called Gatwick Airport |
| had to exist under, in terms of amenities and | | | | Station, this point was originally the Gatwick |
| passenger accessibility. | | | | Racecourse Station, and even retained this name up |
| Though Gatwick has always been considered a | | | | until the opening of the Beehive forty five years later. |
| 'lesser' airport than Heathrow, this is due to the merits | | | | The course even served as a substitute for the Grand |
| of the latter rather than any shortcomings in the | | | | National when the bombings in World War I made it |
| former. Indeed, Gatwick airport has a history that | | | | unsafe to use the original course. |
| warrants more attention than it is generally given... | | | | #5 - Private Fliers |
| #1 - Royal Attentions | | | | Gatwick was not originally a public airport for major |
| The Queen of England has twice graced Gatwick | | | | travel. In the 20's and 30's, for example, it was a |
| airport with her presence. In 1956 the airport | | | | private flying club controlled by Ronald Waters. The |
| temporarily closed in order to undergo a major | | | | Surrey Aero Club used their growing prestige to |
| redevelopment, and it was Queen Elizabeth II who | | | | promote interest in flying in general, and helped |
| oversaw the ceremonies in 1958. Then, thirty years | | | | contribute to the continued growth of the airfield, to the |
| later, the Queen and Prince Phillip were also present | | | | point that Gatwick received its first commercial flying |
| for the opening of the new North Terminal as well. | | | | licenses in 1934. |
| #2 - Advances in Architecture | | | | |