GATWICK recorded a twentieth successive month of growth in October with more than 3.3 million passengers passing through the airport.
The total was 7.8% up on last year, equalling an extra 241,000 passengers.
As a result it was the busiest October in Gatwick’s history.
Long-haul flights provided the biggest increase for the airport with their new routes to New York and Los Angeles helping boost North Atlantic traffic to a 17.5% increase from last October.
Nick Dunn, chief financial officer at the airport, said the figures indicated Gatwick should be chosen for expansion by the Airports Commission.
He said: “With more flights to more markets, greater competition and lower fares, Gatwick is the obvious solution if we want all passengers and all types of travel to benefit from expansion.”
Other long haul travel was up 11.3% with Dubai among the top performers, seeing an 8.2% growth.
Routes to what airport bosses call “emerging markets” also increased, with Vietnam up 12.3% and Garuda, Indonesia’s new Jakarta services continuing to grow.
The new easyJet route to Israel also boosted the airport’s figures.
October also saw a record 21.7% of Gatwick passengers flying on business travel. Business routes helped boost European scheduled traffic, which increased by 9.9% or 179,000 passengers.
Mr Dunn said: “Another record-breaking month for Gatwick further underlines the benefits of competition in the London market.
“We are continuing to see growth across a wide range of travel and airline models, from low-cost carriers and European business travel, to long-haul providers and emerging markets.
“With the airport’s expansion debate entering a crucial phase, these figures are a timely reminder that only an expanded Gatwick would support growth across the broadest range of airline models.”
The airport is currently seeking the backing of the independently appointed Airports Commission.
The body, led by Sir Howard Davies, will submit its recommendations to the Government next year as to how it believes the UK can maintain its global airport hub status.
The three leading proposals are a second runway at Gatwick, a third runway at Heathrow or the lengthening of the existing runway at Heathrow.
A public consultation was launched today to look at the options.
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