A STAGGERING 1,200 jobs are up for grabs at Gatwick Airport.

The vacancies are in retail, restaurant, check-in desk assistance and luggage handling roles.

Airport bosses say this further demonstrating the airport’s commitment to boosting employment in the local community.

They say it reflects Gatwick’s continued growth as it gets ready to face its busiest summer on record.

Gatwick Airport’s Head of Retail Rachel Bulford said: “It’s great to see, once again, so many job opportunities opening up throughout our retail and restaurant offering at the airport.

“These roles will help ensure we provide excellent service in all our outlets as passenger numbers increase over the busy summer.

“A large proportion of our staff are based in the surrounding counties, making Gatwick one of the largest economic drivers for the South East region.”

More than 800 jobs are being offered from across the airport’s retail and restaurant portfolio.

These include WHSmith, JD Wetherspoon, Boots, Fat Face, Starbucks and Monsoon.

Meanwhile recruitment is underway for more than 400 jobs for ground handling agents, the companies which provide check-in desk assistance for passengers as well as loading/unloading luggage and cargo onto aircraft at Gatwick.

DHL, Menzies, Airline Services, dnata and Swissport are the main players here.

Spencer Conday, DHL’s Vice President of Operations, said: “We are pleased to be working with Gatwick Airport on our strategy for 2018 recruitment.

“By combining our efforts we hope to attract the best talent for a number of exciting jobs and career opportunities at the airport and ensure customers continue to receive great service.”

Gatwick makes a substantial contribution to the UK economy, with activity in and around the airport generating £5.3bn in GDP and supporting over 85,000 jobs at a national level.

Gatwick is a major economic driver for the region, generating 24,000 on-airport jobs and a further 12,000 jobs through related activities.

www.gatwickairport.com/business-community/careers/apply-for-a-job/all-airport-jobs/