London Gatwick Airport has announced that it is bringing together an independent panel of experts in a bid to help it improve the passenger experience.
The airport is set to recruit the services of five experts specialising in particular areas – such as family and business travel – in an attempt to improve long-standing issues that affect travellers departing and entering the UK via Gatwick.
The new Airport Passenger Panel will meet to discuss current airport experiences and explore how different types of passengers think, feel and act as they arrive, experience and leave an airport, both before and after their trip.
The five airport panel experts will be: John Carter, one of the founders of the BBC Holiday programme and former co-presenter of Wish You Were Here …?, representing leisure travellers; Mike Toynbee, managing editor at Buying Business Travel, representing business travellers; Becky Wiggins, a well-known mummy blogger (English Mum), representing families; Jasmine Birtles, the founder of moneymagpie.com, representing shoppers; and Philippa Bromley, head of independent living at the Disabled Living Foundation, representing travellers with disabilities.
“Over the years, at airports all over the world, I’ve experienced bewilderment, anticipation and frustration,” said John Carter.
“The world of travel is rarely predictable, but it’s good to see airports like Gatwick taking steps to be ever more responsive to the people that really matter, their passengers.”
Gatwick Airport was owned by the British Airports Authority until 2008, when the Competition Commission ruled that it be sold. A consortium led by Global Infrastructure Partners now own it. The group is making a £1 billion ten-year investment in Gatwick designed to make it “London’s Airport of Choice”.
A report published by Gatwick Airport in August found that as many as 21 per cent of parents who go on holiday abroad end up regretting their decision due to the stress involved. The same percentage of travellers end up wishing they had stayed within the UK for their holiday.
“Everyone in our house has always been mad on travelling and we love to explore new places together but getting there while keeping everyone calm and entertained hasn’t always been the easiest,” admits Becky Wiggins about the stresses and strains of modern family travel.
(Image: ryaninc)
